Yankees-Padres trade match just became even stronger after Michael King decision

New York Yankees fans perked up at this week's news that Michael King declined his player option with the San Diego Padres, making him a free agent . King spent five seasons with the Yankees to begin his MLB career, transitioning into a starting pitcher during the final stages of his last campaign in the Bronx (2023) to considerable success.

Now 31 years old and coming off a strong season in which he made 32 starts for San Diego and excelled in the postseason, King will attract plenty of suitors. But how about a Yankees reunion ? Wouldn't it feel good to snatch back some of King's best years as a starter, seeing as he only had the opportunity to really bloom in that role once he'd been traded to San Diego?

Padres star RHP Michael King declined his player option today and will be a free agent. Will be one of the most coveted players on market.

Conveniently, the Yankees have precisely what the Padres should be looking for in a trade now that they're positioned to lose King: a package of young, controllable starting pitchers. New York's trio of Ryan Weathers, Will Warren, and Elmer Rodriguez should all be firmly on the trade block if the Yankees are smart , and San Diego has plenty of reason to be calling about all three.