The Juan Soto trade and eventual free agency situation did not bode well for the New York Yankees.
They traded multiple top prospects to the San Diego Padres for one year of Soto's services, mortgaging their already rather weak farm system in the process, in hopes of using their championship pedigree from 25 years ago to convince the star to sign for the rest of his career once he hit free agency. It didn't work, and New York Mets owner Steve Cohen made Soto the richest offer in sports history just across town.
The Yankees have recovered quite well, however, after signing Max Fried and trading for Cody Bellinger and Devin Williams to address other deficiencies. The Boston Red Sox haven't recovered from their Soto whiff quite as successfully, although the additions of Garrett Crochet and Walker Buehler are worthy of credit. The Red Sox still need bullpen reinforcements and a right-handed bat.
Luckily for Boston, it could bolster its bullpen and sting New York in the process. The Padres are shopping Michael King, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, one of the former Yankees players sent over in the Soto trade, and he could fill either a starting or relief role for the Sox.
The Red Sox could trade with Padres to acquire former Yankees reliever Michael King
Michael King landing spots: Ranking all 30 teams by need if Padres make starting pitcher available in trade https://t.co/1LPVRAufln
— CBS Sports MLB (@CBSSportsMLB) January 28, 2025
King debuted for the Yankees in 2019 with one scoreless relief appearance. He made 19 starts over his five-year tenure in New York but appeared as a reliever the vast majority of the time. The Padres used him as a starter in 30 games in 2024, and it worked out well for both sides. King posted a 2.95 ERA with 201 strikeouts and 63 walks in 173.2 innings of work, including one relief appearance.
The Red Sox have more than enough talent to pull off a trade for King, who is slated to make just over $8 million in his final year before free agency. He could serve as a valuable reliever and depth starter combination for a Boston team still lacking bullpen depth. Best of all, the Sox could ensure the Yankees don't get their man back.