Overview

• Michael King, traded to the Padres in 2023 as part of the Juan Soto deal, has excelled as a starting pitcher, posting a 2.09 ERA through seven starts in 2025.
• In his first game back at Yankee Stadium on May 6, King delivered a solid six-inning performance, allowing two runs and three hits, before the Padres' bullpen faltered in a 12-3 loss to New York.
• The Yankees initially resisted including King in the Soto trade, but Padres GM A.J. Preller insisted on acquiring him for his starting potential.
• King, now 29, is projected to command a free-agent contract exceeding $100 million after the 2025 season, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
• King has expressed openness to re-signing with the Yankees, citing his positive experience in New York, but a competitive bidding war is expected for his services.