Report: Free Agent Michael King Has ‘Strong Interest’ In Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox could make their first big free-agent splash of the offseason by signing Michael King.

MassLive’s Chris Cotillo reported Sunday that King has “strong interest” in playing for Boston. However, Cotillo also noted that there’s a “crowded field” of suitors for the starting pitcher and Rhode Island native.

If the Red Sox don’t sign him, King could instead join a division rival. Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reported that the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles are also vying for the right-hander’s services. The American League East teams hope he’ll decide soon.

King began his career in the Yankees’ bullpen before moving to the rotation late in the 2023 season. That success intrigued the San Diego Padres enough to make him a key piece in a blockbuster Juan Soto trade that offseason.

The Boston College product excelled with the Padres in 2024, notching a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 173 2/3 innings. King could have been poised for a massive payday had shoulder and knee injuries not limited him to 15 starts in 2025.

King pitched well when healthy, submitting a 3.44 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 73 1/3 frames. He returned from a nearly three-month hiatus to pitch two innings in an Aug. 9 win over the Red Sox before returning to the injured list for another month.

Those injuries may cap the 30-year-old’s price, but King still maintains ace upside that most teams covet. He could help the Red Sox pose a formidable rotation alongside Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray and Brayan Bello in 2026.