The Yankees’ pitching is not up to the mark. Something the fans are yelling into their steering wheels about every morning on social media. The short answer? Injuries, inconsistency, and misfires in roster construction. Just a few weeks into the regular season, the New York Yankees have already lost Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil to injuries, faced Carlos Rodon‘s inconsistency, and dealt with Marcus Stroman‘s misfiring! What’s left for them? Nothing but to shop in the free agency post-2025. And it looks like MLB insider Jon Heyman has already found a good fit for the team.

Remember Andy Pettitte, the veteran Yankees pitcher? No, he is not returning to the Bronx in his fifties now. However, his successful reunion story with the Yankees could be repeated. Pettitte had left the Yankees after 2003, spent three years with the Astros, and came back in 2007. What followed was a 15-9 record in 2007 and a World Series in 2009. Heyman suggested Michael King as a similar candidate for a Yankees reunion.

Now that would be a plot twist! If King returns to the Yankees, it’d be a classic case of a team bringing back a guy who not only fits the culture but was developed in-house and blossomed under their watch. “Padres star King would be great for the Yankees to sign back as a free agent,” claimed Insider Heyman. The fact that there’s no reported extension talks between the Padres and King raises a few interesting possibilities. So, would it be a good move for the Yankees?

King has emerged as a rotation mainstay for the Padres since arriving in the Juan Soto trade from the Yankees before the 2024 season. His last year’s stats include a 2.85 ERA over 30 starts, leading all the Padres starting pitchers. Moreover, 30+ outings show he stayed healthy, maintained velocity deep into the season, and earned every rotation turn. This is something irresistible for the Yankees moving forward.

So, if the Padres want to keep building around their current core, extending King will become a priority. Otherwise, he’ll hit free agency after 2025 as one of the most sought-after arms on the market. So, there is a very high chance fans will witness another historic reunion on the team.

Considering how the team is currently faring with their pitching, King could be a valuable addition to the rotation.

Yankees’ mixed bag performance with pitching

Rodon, Stroman, Clarke Schmidt, and Will Warren have made a few starts this year in the absence of the other starters. After a shaky start to the season, Rodon delivered a dominant performance yesterday against the Tampa Bay Rays, pitching six scoreless innings with nine strikeouts and allowing only two hits. ​While this was a good performance yesterday, Rodon currently has 37 strikeouts, ranking 5th. A 4.34 ERA also does not present a good picture for him.

The only ray of hope might be Schmidt, who just returned from a shoulder injury. He made his season debut on April 16 against the Royals. The Yankees utilized him in 5.2 innings, allowing three runs on four hits, with two walks and three strikeouts. Although his improved knuckle curve and cutter were notable, he showed some fatigue in the sixth inning. He may become more comfortable as time goes on.

So, King isn’t just a fit for the Yankees—he’s the kind of perfect reunion story that writes itself, both on paper and in the clubhouse. How? Currently, he has a 2.42 ERA and a 3-0 record, which is better than the existing Yankees starting lineup. Well, King is about to enter his thirties, but who is better than he to offer reliability for the Bronx? King was collateral damage when the Yankees acquired Soto from the Padres in 2024. Now that Soto is gone, King should have a red-carpet welcome back to his former team.

King has turned into the kind of starter the Yankees wish they still had—and if he hits free agency, they shouldn’t hesitate. So, buckle up and bring him home, and let the rotation stabilize around him. What do you think about King’s reunion with the Yankees? Perfect recipe for success?