From Rangers to Yankees to Rangers. John King talks about his wild ride Wednesday night.
The rookie left-hander was part of the original Joey Gallo trade to New York before the Yankees balked at his injury.
The last thing left-hander John King was expecting in his rookie season was to be traded, but he was. Kind of.
The New York Yankees wanted him Wednesday, and were willing to give the Texas Rangers a few prospects for him, as part of the Joey Gallo trade.
King was informed of the proposed trade around 7 p.m., the Rangers told him to sit tight as the Yankees reviewed King’s medicals.
He called family to let them know. He attempted to figure out how to get out of his apartment lease. He kept getting text messages as more people he knew saw the news on Twitter.
King’s head was spinning for three hours, and then nothing happened.
Well, something happened. The Yankees didn’t like what they saw while reviewing King’s medicals, and just like that King is still a member of the Rangers.
“That was crazy,” the native Texan said. “I didn’t know how to feel about it.”
Don’t get King wrong. He’s glad he wasn’t traded. He holds no grudge over the Rangers for attempting to trade him. It’s also flattering to know that the Yankees, who have won 27 World Series, wanted him.
King is on the injured list with shoulder fatigue. The Rangers reminded the Yankees of that and told them where King was in his recovery, but New York was still interested in acquiring him.
That changed as they reviewed his injury, and the deal had to be altered. It went from Gallo and King for six Yankees prospects to Gallo and lefty Joely Rodriguez for four prospects.
That deal became official Thursday morning.
“I didn’t know how to feel,” King said. “Yeah, I was like, “awesome,” because I like playing here. It’s the team I came up with and I’m from Houston.”
Manager Chris Woodward said that he has reassured King that the Rangers like him and want him here. They might not give him a chance to start this season, as was the plan before he was injured, but they were in no way attempting to get rid of him.
King said he will throw a bullpen Monday, live batting practice Friday and either go on a rehab assignment Aug. 10 or being reinstated from the IL.
“It’s part of being a professional athlete and being good,” Woodward said. “Those things as a young player may happen. I think that was just us being honest with the kid. … I’m just glad he’s still a Ranger.”
Glad he's still here and hate to see the organization part with guys who have shown they belong. Worst case scenario with King he goes back to the pen-and he was really good there earlier this season.