MLB Notebook: Could the Red Sox target Michael King? Boston mulls ‘super ’pen,’ and other baseball buzz

As the Red Sox look to reshape their pitching staff this offseason, one name has quietly emerged as a strong potential fit: Michael King. With the Sox pursuing a No. 2 option for its rotation, King presents a compelling blend of value, familiarity with the region, and breakout potential—but also some risks that will shape whether he ultimately lands at Fenway.

He fills a clear rotation need and doesn’t complicate things if the Sox decide they want to trade for a No. 2 like the Twins’ Joe Ryan, the Brewers’ Freddy Peralta, or the Nationals’ MacKenzie Gore.

The 30-year-old began his career as a reliever before transitioning to a starter with the Yankees. He made 24 starts with the Yankees, 20 of them over the final two years in the Bronx. Prior to the start of the 2024 season, he was shipped to the Padres as part of the Juan Soto trade.

Once he landed in San Diego, he became a regular staple in their rotation, eventually becoming the ace of their staff. In his first year with the Padres, he was durable, making 30 starts and tossing 173 innings, while winning a career-high 13 games with a 2.95 ERA. He walked 63 batters with a career-best 201 strikeouts but wasn’t able to replicate the same success the following season.

King’s right shoulder became an issue this past season, limiting him to just 15 starts for the Padres. He went 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA with 76 strikeouts and 26 walks, and had he not dealt with a shoulder issue, he would have had another big strikeout season. In two seasons with the Padres, he went 18-12 in those starts with a 3.10 ERA.

The numbers can be impressive, but staying on the mound has been a challenge, which means the Red Sox can’t solely rely on just adding King. If Boston were to sign King, he would be in addition to a No. 2 starter. Since signing David Price in free agency, the Red Sox have been careful to commit big dollars to pitchers in free agency, and giving King $20 to $25 million per season would be a risk. He will also cost the Sox draft pick compensation after he declined the qualifying offer.

King has New England roots, attending Bishop Hendricken High in Warwick, Rhode Island. After graduating from high school in 2013, he played collegiate baseball with Boston College and in the Cape Cod League.

According to early reports connected to King, he is expected to land a three-year deal, where he’ll earn $20-25 million per season.

Realistically, King could fit the Red Sox' offseason wishlist, but it appears they want to use some of the Rafael Devers money on hitters and go the trade route to land arms. King would be a fallback option if the price for a starter on the trade market were astronomically high.

Boston has the financial flexibility, and his New England background adds a soft factor in the Red Sox’ favor. He’s not the safest option on the market, but he may be one of the best value plays if the front office wants to deepen the rotation without committing to a massive long-term contract.

BUILD A SUPER 'PEN?

With the Red Sox trying to add another top-of-the-rotation starter, Boston is also considering building a super bullpen, according to a report from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

Rosenthal wrote, “Though the idea is further down their list of priorities, the Boston Red Sox are considering the addition of a high-leverage reliever to create a version of a super bullpen, people familiar with the club’s thinking said.”

Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow continues to remain focused on other areas to improve the big league roster.

“It’s early. We can do a better job of preventing other teams from scoring,” Breslow said Thursday. “There are a bunch of different ways to do that. We’ll be open-minded about all of them. The most straightforward is building out a better starting rotation. I’ve talked a bunch about that. Another way is to continue to improve our infield defense, and another is to make sure that when our starters hand the ball to our relievers, any leads that we have we’re preserving. So I think we’ll look at it from all angles, but I think our priority remains starting pitching and position players.”

If the Sox want to build a super bullpen, there are some relievers on the market that could help them accomplish that goal. Relievers Edwin Diaz, Devin Williams, Robert Suarez, Raisel Iglesias, Ryan Hensley, Kyle Finnegan, Luke Weaver, Seranthony Dominguez, and Pete Fairbanks are all available.

Boston has reportedly been connected to Williams, who spent last season pitching out of the Yankees' bullpen.

Williams is coming off the worst season of his career, posting a 4.79 ERA with a 4-6 record in 67 games. While with the Brewers, he was one of baseball’s best relievers, recording a 1.83 ERA with 68 saves and 375 strikeouts in 241 appearances. He earned two All-Stars, Cy Young Award votes, and Rookie of the Year honors in 2020, as well as MVP votes in 2020 and 2023.

If the Sox add another power arm to their bullpen, they would join Aroldis Chapman and Garrett Whitlock in the backend. The Sox will also have Justin Slaten and Greg Weissert returning to their bullpen and will hope that Jordan Hicks can find himself in spring training. In 21 games for the Red Sox, Hicks pitched to an 8.20 ERA in 18 2/3 innings.

GUERRERO REMAINS WITH THE SOX

Red Sox right-handed reliever Luis Guerrero, who was designated for assignment last week, went unclaimed and was outrighted to Triple-A Worcester, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo.

Guerrero, 25, has pitched in 27 1/3 innings out of the bullpen for the Red Sox the last two seasons. In 2025, he struggled with walks, issuing 14 free passes in 17 1/3 innings, with command being an issue for the righty.

With Guerrero remaining in the Red Sox organization, he will be a bullpen depth option next season.

“It’s tough because we’ve spent so much time building out (his) stuff and appreciating the impact that raw stuff can have on a bullpen,” Breslow said earlier this week about the decision to designate Guerrero for assignment. “I still think that Guerrero has plenty of upside and plenty of outs to get.

“He worked incredibly hard to get himself to this point to become a big leaguer, and there’s a ton of raw stuff. Great arm... When you get to a place where you are needing to DFA guys that you think have real stuff and the ability to get outs in the big leagues, I think it speaks to the depth that the organization has been able to amass.”

DUSTIN MAY TO GET WORLD SERIES RING

Free agent right-handed pitcher Dustin May will receive a 2025 World Series ring after finishing the season with the Red Sox. Boston acquired May from the Dodgers at the July 31 trade deadline for minor leaguers.

May pitched 104 innings for the Dodgers and 65 games (52 starts) for Los Angeles from 2019 to 2025.

“I played with the guys for a long time,” May said at a red carpet event before the MLB Awards show in Las Vegas. “They were all my boys. It was definitely very fun to watch.”

But May added, “I was more sad that they (Red Sox) lost than I was more happy that they (Dodgers) won.”

May pitched in six outings (five starts), recording a 5.40 ERA before he landed on the injured list on Sept. 9 with right elbow neuritis. The righty said that he would have been ready for the ALDS if the Red Sox had advanced past the wild-card round against the Yankees.

“It was definitely a huge letdown,” he said. “But the guys were great to be around. I was super happy to be able to join that group. I didn’t really contribute the way that I felt like I could have, but it was a very, very fun group.”

May said that he’s “fully back to normal” and that his right elbow feels great.

“I just want to find a spot that’s going to treat me well and put the best foot forward and make me have the best season possible,” he said. “So that’s kind of what we’re looking at right now is just who’s going to help the most.”

AROUND THE LEAGUE

- Former Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. was drafted first overall by the Indianapolis Clowns for the Banana Ball Championship League. The new league will feature the Savannah Bananas, Party Animals, Firefighters, Texas Tailgates, and the Loco Beach Coconuts.

The Indianapolis Clowns were known for playing in the Negro American League, playing from 1943 to 1954.

“I feel like this was another opportunity to not only help the league but to be able to help the people behind me to ... hopefully, catapult other African American ballplayers to want to play the game,” Bradley said to ESPN.

Bradley was a defensive wizard in center field, playing parts of nine seasons with the Red Sox. He made the 2016 All-Star Game and won a Gold Glove in 2018. He won the 2018 ALCS MVP during the Sox’ World Series run. Bradley last appeared in the majors in 2023 with the Kansas City Royals.

"If there's an opportunity [to go back to the majors], I would obviously weigh that. If that's for my family, then I'm not going to rule out any opportunities," he said. "But it's not something that I'm striving for. I'm very content with how my career has unfolded. I've been truly blessed. I'm just enjoying the moment."

The former Sox outfielder made an appearance for the Savannah Bananas during a July game at Fenway Park.

- Pirates’ Paul Skenes captured his first career National League Cy Young Award last week. Following his latest accolade, Skenes addressed a report that he wants to play for the Yankees. He remains under team control but reportedly told teammates that he’s eager to leave the Pirates via a trade and would like to join the Yankees.

"I don't know where that came from," Skenes said this week. "The goal is to win, and the goal is to win in Pittsburgh."

“The way that fans see us outside of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh is not supposed to win,” Skenes said. “There are 29 fan bases that expect us to lose. I want to be a part of the 26 guys that change that.”

The Pirates haven’t won a World Series since 1979 and haven’t been competitive in the National League in years.

“Forty-six years without a World Series championship,” he said. “This is why I’m going to show up to the ballpark, and I’m going to work to get everybody pushing in the same direction. I know there are other guys who are going to do the same. That’s all the truth.” 

- Kiké Hernandez underwent left elbow surgery Friday for an injury he played through during the Dodgers’ World Series run. The free agent utility man posted about his surgery on Instagram, stating he played through an injury he suffered back in May, and it will keep him out of the World Baseball Classic.

Hernandez batted .203 with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs in 92 games during the regular season before posting a .250 average with one home run and driving in seven runs during the playoffs as the Dodgers won a second straight title.

- New Cardinals’ front office leader Chaim Bloom is expected to trade a handful of his veterans on the roster, including infielder Brendan Donovan, third baseman Nolan Arenado, first baseman Willson Contreras, and right-handed starter Sonny Gray.

- Former Red Sox reliever Brad Keller is drawing interest as both a starter and reliever this offseason. Keller is coming off a breakout season as a member of the Cubs' bullpen. The 30-year-old righty recorded a 2.07 ERA in 69 2/3 innings last season and was one of the Cubs' most trusted high-leverage arms by the end of the season.

MLBTradeRumors predicts that Keller will land a three-year, $36 million contract this winter.