The New York Yankees are already dealing with a seemingly insurmountable rash of injuries, including a concerning scenario regarding ace Gerrit Cole.
As the Yankees and Cole await the results of the imaging on his $324 million throwing elbow, general manager Brian Cashman offered little optimism Sunday morning when he said he’s “preparing for the worst.”
With that, the Yankees may need to solidify a potential pivot option if Cole is to miss a significant chunk of the 2025 season. One option they could turn to involves a reunion with a former beloved player who has thrived on the West Coast.
In suggesting potential replacement options for Cole, Dayn Perry of CBS Sports included San Diego Padres star Michael King as someone to target.
“Old friend alert. The Padres acquired King from these same Yankees as part of the December 2023 Soto blockbuster,” Perry wrote. “King fared remarkably well in his first season as a full-time starter last year. In 173 ⅔ frames, he put up 2.95 ERA/3.33 FIP with 201 strikeouts and earned a seventh-place finish in the NL Cy Young vote. Like Cease, he’s eligible for free agency at the end of the upcoming season. Also like Cease, his availability assumes the Padres are still looking to shed payroll.”
It might be a costly move for the Yankees, who have pigeon-holed themselves against spending too much over the $301 million luxury tax threshold — they are currently projected just over $304 million for 2025.
Still, the Yankees have the opportunity to repeat as American League champions for the first time since the turn of the century. King has really come into his own as a starting pitcher, and there may even be the chance to lock him up long-term later on.
Either way, the Yankees need to seriously consider King as a pivot option in the event Cole is shut down.
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