Yankees Offseason Heats Up: Michael King Heads West, Rosario Eyes First Base, and a Top Prospect Slips Away
The Yankees’ offseason just got a little more complicated. With rotation needs still looming, the Bronx Bombers watched one of their potential pitching targets - Michael King - head back to San Diego on a hefty three-year, $75 million deal. That’s one more name off the board, and one more question mark for a team trying to stay in step with an increasingly aggressive market.
Michael King’s Deal Leaves Yankees in a Tight Spot
Let’s start with the rotation. Michael King was on the Yankees’ radar, and for good reason.
He showed flashes of frontline potential, and in a market short on reliable arms, he was a known quantity. But the Padres moved quickly, locking him up with a deal that signals serious belief in his upside - despite an injury history that makes the $75 million price tag a gamble.
For the Yankees, that’s a bullet dodged financially - but the problem remains. They still need innings.
And now, the options come with even steeper price tags or heavier prospect costs. Japanese ace Tatsuya Imai is still out there, but he’s expected to command a deal north of $150 million.
That’s a major commitment for a pitcher who hasn’t thrown a pitch in the majors. The trade route?
It likely means parting with top-tier prospects like Spencer Jones or Elmer Rodriguez. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a farm system that’s already feeling the pressure.
With the Mets making moves and the bullpen thinning, Brian Cashman’s front office is at a crossroads. Do they go all-in and push chips to the center of the table? Or do they risk falling behind in an AL East that won’t wait for anyone?
Amed Rosario Getting Reps at First Base
While the front office weighs its rotation options, the coaching staff is working on a different kind of experiment: Amed Rosario at first base.
Rosario, re-signed on a one-year deal, has never played the position in the majors. But the Yankees are exploring whether he can handle it in a platoon role alongside Ben Rice - and there’s some logic behind it.
Rice was a breakout story in 2025. A 133 wRC+, power from the left side, and a bat that looks like it belongs in the middle of the order.
But like a lot of young left-handed hitters, he had some struggles against southpaws. Enter Rosario.
If he can hold his own at first in limited duty - especially against lefties - it gives Aaron Boone more flexibility and helps keep Rice fresh over the course of a long season.
It’s a low-risk move with potential upside. The Yankees aren’t asking Rosario to become a Gold Glover overnight - just to be serviceable enough to make the platoon work.
And if it does? That’s one more spot on the roster where they can stretch their depth without spending big.
Wandy Asigen Heads to the Mets in a Major International Blow
The biggest gut punch of the day, though, came on the international front. The Yankees lost out on Wandy Asigen - a 16-year-old shortstop with serious tools - to the Mets, who landed him on a $3.8 million deal.
This wasn’t just any prospect. Asigen was a centerpiece of the Yankees’ international plans, and his decision to sign with their crosstown rivals stings.
This one cuts deep for a few reasons. First, Asigen is the kind of talent you build around - a left-handed bat, athletic at a premium position, and already showing signs of future star potential.
Second, it’s part of a worrying trend. The Yankees’ international scouting department has been in flux, especially after the firing of longtime director Donny Rowland.
And while the Mets have been stacking wins in this space, the Yankees have seen a few too many top names slip away.
Losing Asigen doesn’t just hurt the farm system - it raises bigger questions about the Yankees’ ability to compete in the international market, which has become a crucial battleground for long-term success. In a league where elite young talent is everything, these kinds of losses can echo for years.
Where Do the Yankees Go From Here?
The Yankees still have time, but the clock is ticking. The rotation needs help.
The lineup needs balance. And the pipeline needs reinforcements.
With King off the board, Rosario learning a new position, and Asigen headed to Queens, this offseason is starting to feel like a high-wire act.
Brian Cashman has made bold moves before - but this winter, he may need to pull off something special to keep the Yankees in the hunt.