Right now, the Hot Stove is simmering, but if you're a fan of the Yankees or Red Sox, it might feel more like a cold front. Two of the most iconic franchises in baseball history-teams that are usually front and center in the offseason arms race-have been unusually quiet. And that’s what makes this moment so intriguing: both clubs are built to contend, yet neither has pulled the trigger on a major move that would elevate them to true American League frontrunners.
For Boston, one name stands out as a potential game-changer: Michael King.
Now, let’s be clear-King isn’t a household ace just yet. But the stuff?
It’s electric. The right-hander made a big leap in 2024, transitioning from a high-leverage bullpen role with the Yankees to a full-time starter, and he didn’t just hang-he thrived.
A 2.95 ERA over nearly 174 innings, with 201 strikeouts? That’s not just solid; that’s frontline-caliber performance.
And that’s exactly what the Red Sox need.
Boston’s rotation has promise but lacks depth. Garrett Crochet has emerged as a legitimate top-of-the-rotation arm, but behind him, it’s a mix of question marks and upside plays. Slotting King in as a No. 2 would give the Sox a formidable one-two punch-especially in a division where pitching depth is everything.
There’s also the added spice of King potentially flipping sides in the sport’s most storied rivalry. After years of wearing pinstripes, imagine King taking the mound at Fenway in a Red Sox uniform, facing his former team with something to prove. That’s the kind of narrative that writes itself-and the kind of edge Boston could use.
According to projections, King could command something in the ballpark of five years and $110 million. That’s roughly $22 million per season-a number that, if he stays healthy, could end up being a bargain.
Because when King is right, he’s not just a mid-rotation arm. He’s the kind of pitcher who can swing a playoff series.
Of course, health is the big caveat. King has dealt with his share of injuries, and there’s always risk when you’re talking about long-term deals for pitchers.
But Boston isn’t in a position to play it safe. If they want to keep pace with the Orioles, the Rays, and yes, even the Yankees, they’ll need to take a calculated swing.
And make no mistake-King would be a swing worth taking.
For the Yankees, losing King would sting. He was one of their more versatile arms, and watching him thrive in Boston would be a gut punch. But this is the nature of the rivalry: players switch sides, and the stakes only get higher.
Right now, both the Yankees and Red Sox are in a holding pattern. But the moment one of them makes a move like this, the balance of power in the AL East could shift. If Boston steps up and lands King, it won’t just be a win on the field-it’ll be a statement that they’re ready to go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league.
And if that happens, October could get a whole lot more interesting.