The New York Yankees are back in business. After falling to the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS in four games, it’s open season for making trades, and free agency is only a few days away. The Los Angeles Dodgers are World Series Champions again, and the world keeps spinning.
However, recent news should pique the interest of Yankees fans. One former Yankees ace has declined their mutual option with their new organization. Is this an opportunity for the Yankees to pounce and right the wrong of one of their biggest regrets in trading away Juan Soto? At least one MLB pundit believes so.
Michael King Elects Free Agency
Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune dropped some big news on Sunday. He took to social media to share the news about a former Yankees pitcher opting for free agency.
“As expected, Padres starting pitcher Michael King has declined his side of the mutual option on his contract,” Acee wrote on X on November 2, 2025. “He will become a free agent.”
Michael King has spent the last two seasons with the San Diego Padres. His 2025 season was shortened by injury, resulting in 15 games played, compared to 30 the season prior. He finished 2025 with 73 1/3 innings pitched, 76 strikeouts, 3.44 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP, and one complete game shutout.
Yankees Urged to Reunite With Former Pitcher
Pete Caldera of NorthJersey.com published a list of free agents that the Yankees should target in the 2026 free agency class.
In a piece published on November 2nd, Caldera cites the team’s pitching as one area of improvement during the current offseason.
“This winter’s strategy centers on retaining Bellinger,” wrote Caldera on November 2, 2025. “Followed by the potential for improving the club’s pitching and infield depth in the free agent market.”
Number three on their list of seven targets is King.
“The ex-Yankee is coming off a 2025 season plagued by shoulder and knee issues,” Caldera continued. “Given their high-salaried rotation, the Yanks might be in the one-year bin if they’re searching here at all. But you’d have to inquire on a talented pitcher whom the Yanks had to part with to net one year of Juan Soto.”
What Might a Michael King Contract Look Like?
Jim Bowden of The Athletic’s list of the top MLB free agents also includes what a potential contract could look like. Given that King spent a large portion of the 2025 season on the shelf with an injury, there is one significant variable to consider if the Yankees go down this road.
Considering that King sustained a shoulder injury, Bowden cites the player’s medicals as a significant factor in the next contract he earns.
“His medicals will determine the type of contract he gets this offseason, and it is difficult to predict his contract without seeing those records,” Bowden wrote on November 2nd. “With that caveat and taking into account the potential injury risk, I predict he’ll land a similar contract to what Nathan Eovaldi got from the Rangers and Sonny Gray got from the Cardinals.”
“That said, if the medicals are completely clear, I could see him getting a five-year deal in the $140 million range.”
Depending on the results of the medicals, it will be either a three-year, $75 million deal or a five-year, $140 million deal.
Signing King Would Bring the Yankees Some Redemption
On December 6th, 2023, the Yankees pulled off a blockbuster trade for Soto. They sent King along with Jhony Brito, Drew Thorpe, Randy Vasquez, and Kyle Higashioka for Soto and Trent Grisham.
After falling to the Dodgers in five games in the 2024 World Series, Soto moved on to sign a record-breaking deal with the New York Mets. The two parties agreed on a 15-year, $765 million contract.
Adding salt to the wound, Grisham has elected to go to free agency, leaving the Yankees with nothing to show for their Soto trade. They have no players left on their team and no new Championship statue on the shelf.
However, signing King could bring some small piece of redemption to a team desperate to win the World Series again. It’s a long offseason until Spring Training, so anything can happen.
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