April 10, 2025 | By Jon Conahan
The New York Yankees have faced some early struggles in the 2025 season, with their pitching staff underperforming after the season opener. One of the glaring issues was Carlos Carrasco’s rough outing on Tuesday, where he allowed four earned runs in just 4 1/3 innings. With Carrasco failing to live up to expectations, the Yankees now face the challenge of improving their rotation.
In a recent proposal, Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker suggests that Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman might target Michael King or Dylan Cease from the San Diego Padres to strengthen the team’s pitching staff. Both pitchers would be valuable assets for the Yankees, but the specifics of a potential trade remain unclear.
King, who is familiar with the Yankees organization and has a mutual option for 2026, has been dominant in his recent starts, including a performance where he struck out 11 batters and walked just one in five innings. On the other hand, Cease has had a solid start to the season and would be a major addition to the Yankees’ rotation.
While the Yankees are already committed to several high-priced pitchers like Gerrit Cole and Max Fried, King offers a potentially more affordable option for the Yankees. Given King’s experience with the Yankees and his strong pitch arsenal, he could be a perfect fit for the rotation alongside Fried.
However, whether the Padres are willing to part with either pitcher is uncertain. Reports suggest the Padres would only consider trading them if the deal significantly improves their offense in areas like designated hitter, catcher, or left field. Additionally, the Padres are reportedly in cost-cutting mode, especially with Cease’s $13.25 million salary looming as he enters his walk year.
If one of these pitchers becomes available, expect Brian Cashman to act quickly, as the Yankees continue to seek ways to bolster their starting rotation for a competitive push this season.
