Michael King’s free agency is heating up, and the finish line might be in sight. The 30-year-old right-hander has narrowed his options to three AL East rivals - the Red Sox, Yankees, and Orioles - and while no deal is imminent, all signs point to a decision coming soon.
King has been one of the most intriguing arms on the market this offseason, and it’s not hard to see why. After years of bouncing between the bullpen and rotation, he finally got a full season as a starter under his belt in 2024 with the Padres - and he made it count.
King posted a 2.95 ERA over 173 2/3 innings, backed by a 3.33 FIP and an impressive 27.7% strikeout rate. That kind of production earned him a seventh-place finish in the NL Cy Young voting and put him firmly on the radar for teams looking to bolster their rotations.
But 2025 didn’t go quite as smoothly. A nerve issue in his shoulder limited King to just 15 starts, and while he was lights-out early - a 2.59 ERA and 28.4% K rate in his first 10 appearances - he clearly wasn’t the same pitcher after returning from the IL.
In his final five regular-season outings, he struggled to a 6.11 ERA with a sharp drop in strikeouts (14.5%) and a troubling walk rate (10.8%). That late-season dip raised some red flags heading into free agency.
Still, there’s reason to believe King can bounce back. In the Padres’ Wild Card series against the Cubs, he looked much closer to his pre-injury form, striking out the side in a scoreless inning out of the bullpen.
San Diego thought highly enough of him to extend a qualifying offer - which he declined - signaling they believe he can return to form in 2026. Now, King is looking for a multi-year deal, and three familiar foes are lining up.
Baltimore: The Need Is Clear
Of the three suitors, the Orioles arguably have the most to gain - and the most ground to make up. Their 2025 season was a letdown, and a big reason why was the lack of frontline pitching. The strategy of patching the rotation with short-term bets like Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano didn’t pan out, and Zach Eflin’s regression only compounded the issue.
Baltimore’s front office knows it can’t afford to roll the dice again. Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers offer some promise, but if the O’s are serious about contending, they need a proven starter who can take the ball in October.
King checks that box - and perhaps just as importantly, he wouldn’t cost them a nine-figure deal. After already committing big money to Pete Alonso, King’s projected four-year, $80 million price tag could be a sweet spot for a team looking to add high-end talent without breaking the bank.
Boston: A Luxury Move With Strategic Upside
For the Red Sox, this is more about value and leverage than need. Boston’s rotation is already stacked - Garrett Crochet, Sonny Gray, and Brayan Bello headline a deep group that also includes Johan Oviedo, Patrick Sandoval, and Connelly Early. And that’s before you even get to the depth options like Kutter Crawford, Payton Tolle, Kyle Harrison, and Hunter Dobbins.
So why pursue King? Because a smart front office knows that depth can be a weapon - not just on the field, but in the trade market.
If Boston lands King on a deal they like, it could open the door to move one of their young arms in a package for a bat. The Sox have been linked to hitters like Ketel Marte, Willson Contreras, and Isaac Paredes this winter.
Adding King could give them the flexibility to make a move that upgrades the offense without dipping into free agency again.
And let’s not overlook the hometown connection. King is a Rhode Island native and a Boston College alum. The idea of pitching in Fenway might carry a little extra weight for him - and that could give the Red Sox an edge in negotiations.
New York: Familiar Fit, Subtle Need
Then there’s the Yankees, where King spent the first five years of his big-league career. On paper, New York doesn’t have the same urgency as Baltimore, but their rotation still has question marks.
Max Fried is locked in at the top, and Gerrit Cole is expected back from Tommy John surgery at some point in 2026. But until then, there’s a lot of uncertainty.
Carlos Rodon is also expected to miss the start of the season, and Clarke Schmidt is likely out for most - if not all - of the year. That leaves a tentative Opening Day rotation of Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, Will Warren, and Allan Winans.
There’s talent in that group, but also plenty of risk. Gil has a lengthy injury history, and Winans is still unproven at the major league level.
Bringing King back to the Bronx would give the Yankees a steady, experienced arm who knows the organization and can slot in anywhere from the middle to the top of the rotation, depending on how things shake out. He was a well-liked presence in the clubhouse during his time in New York, and with the Yankees looking to reinforce their pitching without necessarily chasing the most expensive names, a reunion makes plenty of sense.
What’s Next
With the market narrowing and King reportedly eager to make a decision, we may not have to wait long to see where he lands. Each of the three teams still in the mix offers something different - Baltimore offers opportunity, Boston offers flexibility, and New York offers familiarity.
What they all have in common? A belief that, if healthy, Michael King can be a difference-maker.