Few teams in Major League Baseball feel like they’re doing less than the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox right now, and that’s what makes things so strange.
On paper, the Red Sox and Yankees are two of the three best teams in the American League, but if neither squad makes a significant upgrade, it’s tough to envision either standing atop the AL in October.
For the Red Sox specifically, and this might also impact the Yankees, landing someone like Michael King would help them significantly.
That doesn’t mean King would immediately become an ace in Boston, considering his injury history, but his stuff is legitimately elite, and that matters.
Predicting where he might land, Ryan Finkelstein of Just Baseball believes King has a path to Boston, projecting him to sign a five-year, $110 million contract with the Red Sox.
“If Michael King were able to replicate his 2024 campaign in 2025, we would be talking about one of, if not the top free agent starting pitcher on the market. Once a relief weapon for the Yankees, in his first full season as a starting pitcher, King pitched to a 2.95 ERA with 201 strikeouts in 173 2/3 IP...
“Now, when it comes to a landing spot for King, signing with the Boston Red Sox could make some sense, as they have a need for a No. 2 behind Garrett Crochet. King can join the other side of the Yankee-Red Sox rivalry, and pitch in a prominent role on an up-and-coming Boston team,” he wrote.
It’s tough to say whether King will take a five-year deal, but if the Red Sox can land him at roughly $22 million per year, they should feel extremely good about their offseason. If King is healthy, he is far better than a pitcher making $22 million annually.
More Yankees news:
- Yankees predicted to land Cody Bellinger on $150 million deal, despite Pete Alonso’s contract
- Sonny Gray's agent responds to Brian Cashman amid Yankees-Red Sox comments
- Winter Meetings may force Yankees to choose which young star to trade
- Yankees linked to free agent Blue Jays All-Star as huge Anthony Volpe upgrade
- How Yankees' Cody Bellinger decision could lead to big trade rumors
- Cody Bellinger's free agency update is bad news for Yankees