Michael King's free agent decision gives Yankees another reunion opportunity if they trade rotation depth

Starting pitcher Michael King has officially declined his player option with the San Diego Padres for 2027 and will become a free agent this offseason, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post. King's option was for $28 million next season and included a $5 million buyout.

Now, King will arguably be the second-best starter available on the free agent market and the best starter not named Tarik Skubal. King, who spent the first five big league seasons of his career from 2019-2023 with the New York Yankees, is certainly going to be highly sought after this winter after posting a 3.21 ERA and 4.3 bWAR in 32 starts. So, we're going to take a look at a scenario where the Yankees reunite with their former hurler this offseason.

How the Yankees can reunite with Michael King

The Yankees have plenty of roster weaknesses to attend to this winter, but starting rotation is not one of them. New York needs a third baseman, and possibly another outfielder and second baseman as well. However, there is a world where the Yankees bring back King if they choose to go a specific route in their plan.

The Yankees can trade from their starting rotation depth to fill their holes on the offensive side. If they were to trade Ryan Weathers, who is coming off a breakout season, or Elmer Rodriguez, or even Clarke Schmidt, the team could potentially acquire a big bat to play third base, such as Isaac Paredes of the Houston Astros. This would pave the way for a reunion with King in free agency.

Weathers is probably the one the Yankees would have to part with to improve their everyday lineup. He emerged as the team's fifth starter in 2026, posting a 3.60 ERA and 2.2 bWAR in 25 starts. And now might be the right time to trade him while his value is at an all-time high. Should this occur, the Yankees can then go after King in free agency to ultimately stack an already elite starting rotation.

By bringing back King, the Yankees would have the right-hander slotting in behind AL Cy Young favorite Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón in their rotation. King also has prior success as a reliever, which could come into play in the postseason next year as well.

It doesn't currently look like the Yankees have room for King in their rotation as it stands, but GM Brian Cashman is going to have to get creative by exploring the trade market to address the club's weaknesses this offseason. Trading from their deep starting pitching depth makes the most sense, and would then open up a spot for the Yankees to pursue King.

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