A trio of new New York Yankees rumors offers some major updates on their pursuits of free agent pitchers Michael King and Tatsuya Imai, and a potential trade for Ketel Marte.
For almost all of MLB, winning 94 games and a series in the MLB playoffs is a very positive season. Not when it comes to the Yankees. Especially after reaching the World Series a year ago. It’s why, despite back-to-back seasons with over 90 wins, the club has been very active to upgrade the roster for 2026.
One of the major targets for the Yanks this offseason is starting pitching. Not at the front of the rotation, but a strong number three option, who can be a temporary No. 2 while ace Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon get late starts to the season as they finish up rehabilitation from major elbow surgeries in 2025.
Michael King’s Free Agency Decision Could Come Soon
Unsurprisingly, Yankees alum Michael King has been linked to a reunion with the New York. The move makes sense, since the Rochester native proved he can handle the Gotham spotlight, but also because the 30-year-old has grown into a very good starter over the last few seasons.
According to MLB Network’s Mark Feinsand, King is expected to make a decision very soon, and the Yankees are among the favorites. However, he claims they are also competing with rivals the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, and New York Mets for the seven-year veteran.
NY Yankees Making a Serious Push for Tatsuya Imai
While the Yankees are in hot pursuit of Michael King, he is not the only major pitcher on the free agent market they are in conversations with. From the beginning, the organization was viewed as a likely suitor for Japanese standout Tatsuya Imai.
According to Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal, the Yankees, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies are rumored to be the three teams making the hardest push for the 27-year-old pitcher. While a few years older, the Yankees might lean more toward King over Imai since the San Diego Padres pitcher is reportedly open to a four-year deal and is proven in MLB, while Imai is seeking a five-year pact.
Ketel Marte Does Not Want To Go To The Yankees
There have been a lot of rumors swirling around Arizona Diamondbacks All-Star Ketel Marte. Despite rumored issues with teammates this past season, he is an elite hitter at second base and has a lot of interest around the league. A trade is very possible this winter. However, it probably won’t be to the Yankees.
A new report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic revealed Marte’s no-trade list, and New York is on it. “Marte has a five-team no-trade list – the Athletics, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, and St. Louis Cardinals, according to people briefed on his contract,” he wrote.
NY Yankees and Luke Weaver closing in on a new contract?
After bouncing around the league for the first seven years of his career, Luke Weaver has grown into being one of the Yankees’ most reliable pitchers out of the bullpen since 2023. It makes sense for them to make sure he stays in New York for the next few years. According to The Athletic’s Chris Kirshner, the two sides are very much interested in getting a new deal done.
“The Yankees have expressed ‘genuine’ interest in re-signing Weaver, according to a league source, and the 32-year-old reliever would be interested in rejoining New York. Talks between the Yankees and Weaver are not far along,” Kirschner writes.
The Yanks insider added that 10 teams have logged interest with the pitchers’ reps this offseason.
