Yankees, Red Sox, & Orioles Finalists for Star Pitcher—Timing ‘Couldn’t Be More Intriguing’
BOSTON, MA—Free agent right-hander Michael King’s name is suddenly at the center of the highest-stakes conversation in the American League East. With the Yankees, Red Sox, and Orioles all reportedly among the finalists for his services, the timing couldn’t be more intriguing—or critical—as the division’s powerhouses jockey for the final high-upside starting pitcher on the market.
King’s versatility—having successfully transitioned from an elite reliever to a front-end starter who finished 7th in NL Cy Young voting in 2024—has elevated his market value, turning what once felt like a secondary storyline into a defining offseason decision.1 MLB Trade Rumors projects him to land a contract in the vicinity of four years and $80-$91 million.2
Here is a breakdown of the three very different paths King is reportedly weighing:
⚾ The Three Paths: Familiarity, Homecoming, and Momentum
| Team | The Pitch | Opportunity / Pressure |
| New York Yankees | Familiarity & Championship Pressure. King spent his first five seasons in the Yankees system, and a reunion offers him an immediate spot in a rotation designed to contend for a World Series now, especially with the expected return of a healthy Gerrit Cole. | High Pressure: Expectations in the Bronx are relentless. He would be expected to perform as a reliable No. 2/3 starter instantly. |
| Boston Red Sox | Homecoming & Upside. King is a Rhode Island native and a Boston College alum. Sources indicate he has a “strong interest” in playing for the Red Sox. With Boston having already added Sonny Gray, King’s addition would complete a formidable rotation. | Upside: He would become an immediate face of the rotation for a club focused on a rapid competitive ascent under a new Chief Baseball Officer, Craig Breslow. |
| Baltimore Orioles | Rising Contender & Need. Baltimore has the clearest and biggest need for a frontline starter, having missed the postseason in 2025. King would immediately become their undisputed ace, joining an explosive young core that just signed Pete Alonso. | Need/Momentum: The Orioles offer a rising contender with immense momentum and the chance to lead a young, exciting staff. However, they may need to outbid their larger-market rivals. |
THE RIPPLE EFFECT
Executives around the league understand that King’s choice will subtly shift the balance of power in the AL East before a single pitch is thrown.
- If King chooses the Yankees, he seals a major hole for a team desperate to return to dominance, making them World Series favorites.
- If he chooses the Red Sox, it confirms Boston’s commitment to competing now and allows them to utilize their deep young pitching talent in trades for offensive upgrades.3
- If he chooses the Orioles, it validates their shift into the big-market spending echelon and instantly upgrades a weakness that derailed their 2025 campaign.
As King inches closer to a decision, the stakes truly extend far beyond one contract; they involve the trajectory of the sport’s most competitive division.
