"No Kings?" This winter, the Yankees ought to make an exception

Should we send an A.I. video of dropping feces on Toronto?

The best free agent starting pitcher this winter could be an old Yankee pal. 

Soon after the Tokyo Dodgers beat Outer Buffalo in the world series - probably ate next week -  Michael King will opt out of his contract with the Padres and head to free agency.  

King, whom the Yankees dealt to San Diego for the one-year blood rental of He Who Shalt Not Be Named, will turn 31 in late May. 

Thus, this upcoming auction represents his best - and maybe final - chance to cash out with the lake house and old folks pontoon. Considering that he's from Rochester - ancient Yankee fan territory, sorta our Donbas - the lone obstacle to King signing with Food Stamps Hal Steinbrenner is - well - Food Stamps. Hal never wants to pay "antique" prices for what he believes should be garage sale furniture.

And if Hal gets into a bidding war with Steve Cohen, I think we all know who will win. 

Nothing puts a gleam in the eye of P.T. Cohen more than stealing popular ex-Yankees. Close your eyes, and it's easy to imagine both King and Luke Weaver pitching for the Mets, while the Yankees counter with some Cashman-found, Freddie Garcia, small market retread, obtained in a disastrous trade. (I fear watching Caleb Durbin play for many years in Milwaukee, while Devin Williams - whom the Gammonites viewed as a Louvre-like steal - disappears into the NL or AL Central.)

Last year, King was one of baseball's best pitchers through his first 10 starts. Then he pinched a nerve, missed a month, and returned for one start, when he hurt his knee. A near total washout. He finished with a 3.44 ERA over 73 innings. The Yankees ought to start with King, and then start stockpiling relievers. This might turn out to be the last winter in which the Yankees can use their money. (Next winter, an excruciating labor work stoppage is almost assured.) 

No Kings? I say, just one. Michael. Wait... is Mel Queen still available?