Rumored Red Sox Target Reportedly Makes Free-Agent Decision

Another top free agent linked to the Boston Red Sox will reportedly sign elsewhere.

Michael King reached a three-year, $75 million agreement to stay with the San Diego Padres, as first reported late Thursday night by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The deal includes an opt-out after each season.

King will make a $5 million salary with a $12 million signing bonus in 2026, but he’d also receive a $5 million buyout if electing to decline a player option next offseason. The right-hander can exercise a $28 million option for 2027 and $30 million option for 2028.

Feinsand reported that the deal is finalized after King passed his physical.

MassLive’s Chris Cotillo said last weekend that King had “strong interest” in the Red Sox. Although the feeling was reportedly mutual, several other teams also pursued the Rhode Island native after a down year.

King ended his fourth season with the New York Yankees by successfully shifting to the rotation. He registered a 2.23 ERA in nine starts to close the 2023 campaign before getting sent to San Diego in a Juan Soto blockbuster.

A permanent rotation move paid off handsomely for King, who garnered a 2.95 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 173 2/3 innings in 2024. He started 2025 with a 2.09 ERA through April, but a shoulder injury sidelined him in May.

King returned to pitch two innings against the Red Sox in August before knee inflammation sent him back to the injured list for a month. Despite allowing eight runs in his second start back, he still finished the season with a 3.44 ERA in 73 1/3 innings.

King returns to the Padres to headline a rotation alongside former Red Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta. They lost another premier free-agent starter when Dylan Cease joined the Toronto Blue Jays.