This piece dives into where free-agent right-hander Michael King stands in his offseason decision. It looks at why three AL East rivals are fighting for his signature, and how his mix of upside and risk is shaping a pretty wild pitching market.
The Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Baltimore Orioles are all in on King. He’s become one of the most intriguing arms available—not just for what he did in 2024, but for what he could be over the next four years.
Michael King’s Rise as a Legitimate Front-Of-The-Rotation Option
Over the last two seasons, Michael King has completely changed his scouting report. He used to be seen mostly as a swingman or bullpen guy, but his first full year as a starter turned into a near-breakout run that made teams rethink his value.
A Cy Young-Caliber 2024 Changed His Market
King’s 2024 did more than just get him noticed. In 173 2/3 innings, he posted a 2.95 ERA and finished seventh in NL Cy Young voting, showing he could handle a starter’s workload, miss bats, and get through lineups more than once.
Front offices finally got their answer: Can this guy start every fifth day and hold up? The evidence in 2024 said yes. That’s a huge reason he’s now looking at a four-year, $80 million deal.
The Injury-Riddled 2025 Season: Red Flag or Bump in the Road?
But 2025 brought a twist. King’s season got chopped up by a nerve issue in his shoulder and then a knee injury, so he only made 15 starts. That casts a shadow over his 2024 heroics, no doubt.
Before the shoulder problems, he actually looked just as good—maybe better. He put up a 2.59 ERA in the first half, with the same sharp command that got him Cy Young votes. But after coming back, he struggled: less command, less consistency, and you could see he wasn’t quite right.
Despite all that, King turned down a qualifying offer from the Padres. He’s betting on himself, and his agents clearly think teams still see him as a long-term starter, not just a rehab project.
Why the Orioles, Red Sox, and Yankees Are Lining Up
King’s narrowed it down to three: the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees. All AL East, all needing pitching, but each sees King a little differently.
Baltimore Orioles: Filling a Glaring Rotation Void
The Orioles have a clear problem: after a rough 2025, the rotation is still the weak spot. They’ve got young, cheap hitters, but they don’t have a proven arm who can stop a losing streak or pitch a big game.
King hits a rare sweet spot for Baltimore:
For the Orioles, he’s a cost-effective stabilizer. If he stays healthy, he could be a top-two starter on a contender that really needs one.
Boston Red Sox: Depth, Flexibility, and Trade Leverage
The Red Sox are in a different boat. Their pitching staff, at least on paper, is deeper than it’s been in a while, but the offense isn’t keeping up. Boston apparently sees King as a value play and strategic asset—not just a panic move.
Adding King could:
So, King is both a rotation upgrade and a possible spark for bigger roster changes. His price tag isn’t so huge that Boston can’t keep making moves.
New York Yankees: Familiarity and Reliability in a Thin Staff
The Yankees know King well from his earlier years in their system, and that history matters. With injuries and sketchy recovery timelines, New York needs a starter it can actually count on in the pressure cooker that is the AL East.
King checks a few boxes for the Yankees:
For a team that’s spent big on pitching before, King brings familiarity and upside—without the risk of a decade-long contract.
The Contract Outlook and What Comes Next
Industry chatter puts King’s next deal at about four years and $80 million. That kind of contract puts him squarely in the second tier of free agent starters—he’s got plenty of upside, but teams won’t have to shell out ace money.
King hasn’t named his finalists yet. Still, he’s reportedly down to three AL East teams, and his market seems pretty clear at this point.
He might end up as the Orioles’ new anchor. Or maybe he’s Boston’s big swing in their rebuild. There’s even talk of a Yankees reunion.
Honestly, wherever he goes, Michael King’s going to shake up someone’s rotation for a while. The whole division might feel it.
Here is the source article for this story: Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles Finalists For Michael King
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