The MLB hot stove is starting to simmer for the Yankees.
It’s been a modest offseason thus far for the Yankees, who have retained players such Trent Grisham, Ryan Yarbrough, Tim Hill and Amed Rosario but are yet to add a clear-cut contributor from outside of the organization.
Recent rumors suggest that could change soon, as the Yankees have been linked to difference-makers via free agency and trade.
Here is the latest buzz:
KING REUNION?
The Michael King sweepstakes could have significant ramifications in the American League East.
The Yankees are competing with the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles for the free-agent right-hander, according to The Boston Globe.
King, 30, pitched to a 3.10 ERA with a similarly excellent strikeout rate of 10.1 per nine innings over the past two seasons with the San Diego Padres, but injuries including a long thoracic nerve issue in his right shoulder limited him to 15 starts in 2015.
He represents a high-upside but more affordable option than top-of-the-market starters such as Framber Valdez or Tatsuya Imai.
The Yankees drafted King in 2016, and he made his MLB debut with them three years later.
King was a valuable bullpen weapon from 2021-23 before successfully transitioning back to the rotation at the tail end of his Yankees tenure.
The Yankees then traded King to the Padres before the 2024 season as part of the package that brought back Juan Soto and Grisham.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman checked in with King’s agent earlier in the offseason.
“Great stuff and a great arsenal,” manager Aaron Boone said recently of King, who finished seventh in National League Cy Young Award voting in 2024.
“He’s got a real good understanding of that stuff. It’s allowed him to evolve as a pitcher coupled with — I tell you guys all the time — his confidence. That’s a powerful thing when you’ve got stuff, the ability to learn and understand what you’re doing and then the confidence to go do it.”
Starting pitching is not the Yankees’ top need, but their depth will be tested to begin the season with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt not expected to be ready for Opening Day.
LOOK OUT FOR LUKE
The Yankees have “genuine” interest in bringing back reliever Luke Weaver, according to The Athletic.
About 10 teams have reportedly checked in on Weaver. Cashman confirmed recently that he had spoken to Weaver’s agent.
Weaver, 32, emerged as the Yankees’ closer during their run to the World Series in 2024, but he pitched to a 3.62 ERA last season, including a 4.40 ERA in the second half.
The Yankees seek to fill out their bullpen behind current closer David Bednar, with Camilo Doval, Fernando Cruz and Hill among the others under team control.
ALL THAT JAZZ
Nothing suggests a trade is imminent or even likely, but ESPN reported the Yankees are at least listening to interest in second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Chisholm, who turns 28 in February, is entering his final year of team control, and he is one of numerous left-handed hitters in a lineup Cashman acknowledged could use more balance.
But Chisholm is also one of the Yankees’ top hitters who just delivered a career-best season with 31 home runs and 31 steals in 130 games.
He would be difficult to replace, especially considering The Athletic reported the Yankees are one of five teams on Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte’s no-trade list.
Arizona is listening to offers for Marte, whose hyper-reasonable contract owes him $102.5 million over the next six years.
SWING AT SEAGER
General manager Chris Young shot down the notion the Texas Rangers are shopping star shortstop Corey Seager, even in an offseason in which they parted with Marcus Semien, Adolis Garcia and Jonah Heim.
But it was at least notable that The Dallas Morning News reported the Yankees — along with the Red Sox and Atlanta Braves — inquired about Seager.
Anthony Volpe remains the Yankees’ shortstop, but he’s coming off of a down year in which he played through a partial labrum tear in his left shoulder.
Volpe, 24, is expected to miss the start of next season after offseason shoulder surgery. He has three years of team control remaining.
READY FOR FREDDY
Last offseason, the Yankees made a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers to acquire Devin Williams in his final year before free agency.
Could the teams link up for a similar trade this winter?
The Yankees are among the teams interested in right-handed Brewers starter Freddy Peralta, according to The Athletic, along with the Red Sox, Orioles, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and Mets.
Peralta, 30, finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting last season after going 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA over 33 starts.
He is due $8 million next season in his walk year.
COURTING CODY
The Yankees’ interest in bringing Cody Bellinger back is well-documented, but they certainly aren’t alone in their pursuit.
The deep-pocketed Mets are “very in” on Bellinger, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand said Tuesday.
Of course, the Mets signed another free-agent outfielder away from the Yankees last offseason in Juan Soto.
Last week, agent Scott Boras named the Yankees, Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays among the teams interested in Bellinger, who hit 29 homers with 97 RBI last season.
Many expect Bellinger to wait for fellow free-agent outfielder Kyle Tucker to sign. That way, the teams that miss out on Tucker could pivot to Bellinger.
