Over the last week, it was reported that the New York Yankees were one of three finalists for pitcher Michael King, the other two being the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles.

So then why did King just re-sign with the San Diego Padres on a three-year, $75 million contract?

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Could it be because the Yankees were never really all that interested?

Here’s what’s scary about this whole situation: YES Network analyst Jack Curry said weeks ago that New York was not interested in King, and he ended up being right, just like he is with just about everything connected to the Yankees.

You know what else Curry reported? That he didn’t think New York would do a whole lot this offseason. He also revealed on Thursday that no one has come close to touching Cody Bellinger’s asking price and that the Yanks aren’t really in on Tatsuya Imai.

Remember: earlier in the week, the Yankees — along with the Chicago Cubs — were named finalists for Imai. Sound familiar?

San Diego Padres pitcher Michael King. Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images.

San Diego Padres pitcher Michael King. Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images.

When it comes to the Yanks, Curry may very well be the most connected person there is. His sources are usually teflon. When he reports something, it is almost always correct.

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Based on everything Curry has maintained throughout the hot stove, it really is entirely possible that New York may end up sitting on its hands doing a whole lot of nothing this winter. Particularly when it comes to free agency.

Perhaps the Yankees will make some trades. We cannot rule out that possibility. But the fact that they just let King head back to San Diego for $25 million annually over three years is a strong indication that Hal Steinbrenner really isn’t willing to spend that much money this offseason.

Are the Bronx Bombers really going to do this? Are they going to whiff on the free-agent pitchers, allow Bellinger to walk and roll into 2025 with Ryan Yarbrough in their starting rotation (with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon both sidelined) and some combination of Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones in left field?

It seems unheard of given the Yankees’ rich history of splurging, but we also have to remember that this isn’t George Steinbrenner; this is Hal. Same last name; entirely different philosophy.

While it may not be time for full-blown panic mode just yet, we are getting close to that point, because it’s looking more and more like Curry was right all along.