After the 2025 playoff exit at Yankee Stadium, the Boston Red Sox enter the offseason with one glaring need: a true No. 2 starter behind Garrett Crochet. While the rotation as a whole held its own, Lucas Giolito’s injury left no proven options behind Crochet, exposing a significant hole for a team looking to challenge for the AL East crown. Fortunately, former New York Yankee Michael King, with New England ties and AL East experience, is available and could be the perfect fit.
Red Sox Need to Sign Ex-Yankees RHP Michael King This Winter
King, 30, began his career with the Yankees as a reliever after three years at Boston College, and in his last two seasons in New York, he was dominant, pitching to a 2.60 ERA and 5.2 WAR while striking out 193 batters in 155 2/3 innings. The Yankees repaid the talented right-handed hurler by shipping him off to the San Diego Padres in the Juan Soto blockbuster before the 2024 season.
In San Diego, King transitioned to a starter, posting a 13-9 record with a 2.95 ERA across 31 games (30 starts) in his first season, proving he can handle a full rotation workload. Despite injuries in the latest campaign, he still went 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 15 starts, and even pitched his first-ever complete game shutout vs. the Colorado Rockies on April 13. Now a free agent, King presents a high-upside, cost-effective alternative for teams that miss out on top-tier starters like Framber Valdez.
Not only would King elevate the rotation as a strong No. 2 behind Cy Young candidate, Garrett Crochet, but he also brings years of experience playing in the AL East, something the Red Sox desperately lacked at the top of the staff last season. He's also pitched six games (16 innings) at Fenway Park in his career, going 1-2 with a 3.38 ERA and 19 strikeouts. The 4.75 strikeouts per walk he averages in Boston are the third-best rate of any city he's pitched in.
History shows Boston has a knack for transforming overlooked rivals into key contributors—a trend demonstrated by the successes of Aroldis Chapman and Carlos Narváez. King could be the next in line to thrive in Fenway Park, and his potential success with the Red Sox would make Yankees fans' blood boil, adding another reason for a signing.
For a team aiming to flip the script in the AL East, upgrade their playoff positioning, and support their young stars, targeting a proven vet like King could be the smartest move of the Red Sox's offseason. It might be hard to see the ex-Yankee in a Boston uniform at first, but it'll be worth it in the long run if he lives up to expectations.