1:35pm: The Boston Globe’s initial report has been clarified to note that, while the Red Sox, Yankees, and Orioles are among the teams King is considering, there are no finalists for his services at this point.
1:11pm: Right-hander Michael King has narrowed his search for a new team to three options, according to a report from Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. Those teams are the Red Sox, Yankees, and Orioles. Additionally, Chris Cotillo of MassLive reports that the Rhode Island native and Boston College alum has “strong interest” in playing for Boston. Abraham notes that King would like to make a decision on his destination soon.
King, 30 has been among the league’s most widely sought-after starters this winter. He’s been connected to the Mets, Cubs, Tigers, Marlins, Angels, and Blue Jays in addition to the three apparent finalists for his services, and it’s not hard to see why the right-hander would garner such widespread interest. The 30-year-old flashed significant upside during his 2024 season with the Padres, when he pitched to a 2.95 ERA in 173 2/3 innings of work with a 3.33 FIP and a 27.7% strikeout rate. That was a strong enough performance to earn him a seventh-place finish in NL Cy Young award voting that year, which was his first as a full-time starter.
The right-hander seemingly appeared to be lined up for a massive payday heading into his platform season of 2025, but injuries complicated things this past year. King was limited to just 15 starts by a nerve issue in his shoulder (as well as a less significant knee injury late in the year), and while he dominated to the tune of a 2.59 ERA, 3.26 FIP, and a 28.4% strikeout rate in ten appearances prior to the shoulder injury, he didn’t look quite the same after returning with a 6.11 ERA and a 14.5% strikeout rate a 10.8% walk rate across his final five appearances in the regular season.
King moved to the bullpen for San Diego’s Wild Card series against the Cubs and looked more like himself as he struck out the side on 19 pitches in a scoreless inning of work, but headed into the offseason his second half struggles and significant injury woes left cause for concern as he entered free agency. He received a qualifying offer from the Padres, a positive sign that the club didn’t see King’s injuries as too concerning for the 2026 campaign, and declined it in order to pursue a multi-year pact in free agency.
Looking at the three teams still in the running for King’s services, the Orioles stand out as the team with the biggest need in their rotation. The club is coming off a deeply disappointing 2025 campaign where their decision to eschew high-end arms in free agency came back to bite them, as rolls of the dice on Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano failed to bear fruit while Zach Eflin took a big step back from his previous work with the Rays. While Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers could plausibly form an exciting front-of-the-rotation duo for the Orioles next year, adding at least one proven, playoff-caliber starter to the mix has been the team’s clear priority this winter.
King would certainly fit that mold if healthy, and likely could do so without breaking the bank and requiring Baltimore to commit to a second nine-figure contract this winter after they signed Pete Alonso last week. MLBTR predicted King to land a four-year, $80MM contract as the #14 ranked free agent in this offseason. Of course, with top-of-the-rotation upside and an expected contract price tag and length that falls below that of your typical front-end starter, there’s plenty of room for a more opportunistic team to get involved.
That’s likely where the Red Sox come in, given that Boston is incredibly deep in pitching talent as it is. Garrett Crochet leads a rotation that figures to also include Sonny Gray and Brayan Bello at the front end, with players like Johan Oviedo, Patrick Sandoval, and Connelly Early in the mix for the final spots as things stand. Kutter Crawford, Payton Tolle, Kyle Harrison, and Hunter Dobbins are among the pitchers who figure to serve as depth for the Red Sox this year, an embarrassment of riches that make adding a starter in free agency more of a luxury than a necessity.
Even so, landing King on a deal that the Red Sox perceive as good value would still make sense, as it could free them up to more fully explore trades involving some of their young pitching talent. Boston has already been connected to Ketel Marte, Willson Contreras, and Isaac Paredes on the free agent market as they search for help on offense this winter, and perhaps signing King and trading from their pitching depth to land one of those big names could be more attractive as an option than taking a swing on one of the big bats still available in free agency.
As for the Yankees, a reunion with the team King spent the first five years of his MLB career with splits the difference between the extremes Baltimore and Boston represent. New York isn’t in desperate need of a front-of-the-rotation ace with Max Fried already in place and Gerrit Cole expected back from Tommy John surgery at some point next year, but their rotation could certainly use additional depth. Cole and Carlos Rodon are both not expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign, while Clarke Schmidt figures to miss most if not all of next year.
That leaves the Yankees with an Opening Day rotation of Fried, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, Will Warren, and Allan Winans. Given Winans’s lack of MLB experience and Gil’s significant injury history, there’s certainly room for another quality starter in the Yankees’ rotation mix even if they don’t necessarily need one with the same level of upside that King offers. Even so, King was a popular player during his time with the Bronx and well-liked within the organization. Between the potential value to be had on King’s contract and his past connection to the club, it’s hardly a surprise that New York would get involved in his market as they survey the offseason landscape for rotation help.
Let’s get this done New York!!! No excuses Cashman
Let the best team win for his services
So Boston?
Wherever he wants to go? All ^ to him. San Diego was never a place for a King though.
Lol
@mlb
Plenty of excuses. The guy needs to any to be here. If he prefers Boston I wouldn’t want them severely overpay to convince him to come back. I’m not saying don’t make a top post but don’t be stupid to try and change his mind.
What if Boston gets Peralta? Supposedly Collins being traded opens up a spot for Duran if a trade ensues.
No Duran trade!
I just hope you won’t turn out regretting that.
Pass — Schlittler, Gil and Warren is solid.
You never have enough pitching….plus King pitched in relief prior to starting…….
Have to have all three in the rotation next season – Gil, Schlittler and Warren – all have shown the ability to pitch, have to keep them developing at the MLB level.
Yanks have nice pitching prospects: Rodriguez-Cruz, LaGrange, Hampton and Hess, should keep them progressing and save the dough for Ronny Acuna.
Warrens upside will never be King’s.
how do you know?
If you honestly think Warren has better stuff than King, you should go watch another sport.
Warren managed over a K an inning throwing over 75% fastballs with a run value in the 95% percentile – he doesn’t command his off-speed pitches as well as King but his spin rates are way up on all his offerings.
He has the raw stuff. If he reels in the walks and commands his changeup, he will be real good. Based on the movement profile and the spin rates, I’d say that he has a plus sweeper and a plus curveball and with how how effective he is with the fastball, he could have as good of an arsenal as King.
@Dog
I never made an argument that 2W had better stuff or even that currently, he was better. But what they do have is similar repertoire in that they both utilize a four seame, sinker, change up and slider. 2W also features a curveball. Bork guys throw their 4seamer in the 93 mph range tho they can sometimes hit 96-97. Both utilize “pitchability” more so than power. King has the higher IQ but 2W might close the gap with experience. I’ve seen the same qualities in King when he was with the Yanks that I did in Ian Kennedy, Montgomery, Schmidt and now Warren. His floor is that of a 4/5 buy if he stays healthy, gets confidence in himself and raises his IQ then he can be a solid 2/3. One distinction between 2W and King is that he generates a lot more groundballs than King. So maybe YOU should watch more games buddy.
We can agree to disagree. King is a year removed from being one of the elite pitchers in the National League while Warren wasn’t even average. I’m all for developing pitchers, but while another year ticks off the careers of Judge, Cole etc…, I’d prefer a guy that can be a difference maker, not potential.
I’ve seen this all before. When Warren has another 4+ ERA in September, you’ll be the guy complaining the Yankees don’t have enough pitching and / or Cashman didn’t do enough. The Yankees don’t have time to wait for those “who might close the gap with experience.”
@Dog
Bro you’re making an argument, again, that I never made. I never said, don’t get King we have Warren”. I just questioned why you felt 2W could never get a good as King? I’m all for the Yanks adding at least 1 more SP and would prefer a guy like King who had already had success in NY and should be had for no more than 4 years perhaps. Plus I think he could be good for guys like Warren and Schmidt, if they’re still around.
That wasn’t an argument, just an opinion.
@Dog
Yes, it started as your opinion that 2W would nene be as good as King. I asked you why you felt that way and explained their similarities. Then you made it seem like I was “arguing” that we didn’t need King because we had Warren. That wasn’t an “argument” I was making. We need at least 1 more pitcher INCLUDING to go along with 2W and others.
I hate writing posts that don’t get posted. In short, I we both stated opinions but you netted off into acting like I was arguing 2W vs King which factually, I wasn’t. Yanks need 1 more pitcher and if be fine ADDING King to go ALONG with Freid, 2W, Gil and Schlittler. Once Cole and Rondon return send one guys, likely 2W to the swing role, or Gil if he proves an inability to stay healthy.
That was in response to No ABS comment that the rotation is basically fine the way it is.
Sox fan here thinks Cam is an ace
Yeah but no Cole or Schmidt to begin the season, so signing Michael King is very important. Once the playoffs start, then he could be moved to the bullpen where he’s had so much success.
Signing King jams the rotation with four veterans through the ’28 season. I dont know why you would even entertain the idea when you have:
Gil
Warren
Schlittler
Winans
Winquest
Yarbrough
Rodriguez-Cruz
Hampton
Cunningham
LaGrange
Hess
If you want to add a veteran, put together a package for an ace or a solid #2. Yanks have some good prospects in Roderick Arias, TJ Rumfield and Brendan Jones.
Might not be an ace on the trade market but if there is, Yanks have the players to make that trade.
@NoAbs
No guarantee their they’re won’t be any setbacks with any of those guys coming back from surgery. After Schlittler there’s no reason to think those guys good be acceptable SP for the first couple months of the season. Schlittler, Gil and Warren aren’t exactly dependable. You have to hope Gil can stay healthy and pitch like he did in 2024. You have to hope Schlittler is the real deal and handle a 160 IP at the mlb level and build his own. You have to hope Warren gets better and doesn’t regress any at all. If they have a high performance bunch in Freid, Gil, 2W and Schlittler then having 6 guys for 5 spots when Cole and Rondon return would be what’s called a “good problem”. As for those prospects you mentioned, since ate more suspects but they could all benefit from more minor league development where they’ll get a longer rope to go thru their growing pains than they’ll get in the majors.
He would entertain it because the Yankees are built to win now. You’re putting together a rotation of a small market team building for the future.
Signing King jams up the progression of your young pitching prospects.
Stacking the rotation with another starter at the top has Warren and Schlittler on the sidelines at some point midseason and it will deflate all of the guys on the farm who are entering the season focused on progression.
You now have to make a trade or your entire group gets pushed back and stagnates.
There are a few concerns, Fried’s arm should be one of them, Cole’s return from TJ, Rodon hasn’t had a TJ and he had a “bone spur” – I’d say Gil, Schlittler and Warren are the light concerns. Id want those three in the opening day rotation and Id be planning on having them in the rotation in October and deal with setbacks as they arise. The Yankees have the prospects to make a trade or two.
Yanks should be in on Brad Keller with the intention of moving him to the bullpen when Cole is healthy.
Or, a savvy trade like the Brewers made for Angel Zerpa. Lets see Rodriguez Cruz, LaGrange and Hampton this year.
Pass on Michael King.
King is taking one spot in the rotation. I’m not worried about “deflating” someone in the minor leagues that probably wouldn’t be much of a factor this year anyway. It’s about winning now.
The organization is a top to bottom entity, have to keep the entire system in homeostasis – you can bottleneck it, trade out of the clog, but its expensive, it costs you more than the salary to King.
Id argue that Gil, Schlittler and Warren are all 20M dollar players this season when they pitch on the big league roster. If you have two of them in the minors, its an opportunity cost of around 40M.
You wont get that sort of value in return if you trade the young pitching prospects and that value erodes similar to time value. Signing King is an erosion of intrinsic value.
A big difference in having three veterans signed long term (3+ seasons) and having four when you add in opportunity cost. Luxury tax implications also apply to King and are advantageous to Gil, Warren, Schlittler.
I like the risk with the young pitchers more than I do with King.
Winans, Winquest and Yarborough should be enough to weather any storms until a trade can be made should the Yankees need to solidify the rotation in June / July.
No thanks. I simply don’t think as highly of Warren as you do and just crossing my fingers and hoping guys like Yarborough will pitch well is too much of a risk while Judge and others are in their primes.
Dodgers won the last two spending money and they jammed up their farm in the process. They will be the favorites to win in ’26 too. It is probably worth cutting the cord to win but they are foul in their crisp blue and whites.
The Return of the King is a Tolkein story. I’d leave that book on the shelf and the dumb marketing ploy on the desk of the nerd who first fantasized about it.
Another swingman is a better fit. Luke Weaver is an important part of your bullpen too.
Schlittler, Warren and Gil makes for an awesome rotation and makes the Yanks a team to root for.
A reunion with King reeks of desperation.
Who cares about jamming up your farm system if you’re winning WS? For the fans, winning is what’s important right?
You seem the type that overvalues prospects, many which never fulfill their promise.
Your dislike of King is frankly a bit bizarre to me. Desperation? How does that make sense?
The reality is King over Warren is a substantial upgrade.
But yet , you want Weaver back, a guy that basically cost the Yankees a playoff series. He was horrendous.
Weaver had a great year – 1.02 WHIP, 10.0 K/9, 3.6 K/BB – HR/9 is high but otherwise great numbers for a high leverage reliever.
I dont over value prospects. I over value dollars.
Schlittler (780K AAV) had 84K in 73.0IP with a 2.96 ERA
Warren’s (780K AAV) stuff is off the charts, 160 innings last season with a 9.5 K/9 as a rookie. His 4.07 FIP bested his ERA and puts him amongst Mitch Keller, Robbie Ray, Clay Holmes and Lucas Giolito.
Gil (2.1M AAV) issues too many walks but is the ’24 ROY and is an ideal five because he can easily be transitioned into a long man / swingman role when Cole and Rodon return.
You seem to think paying a 31-year old with injury issues and only 70 starts under his belt is a good investment at a 20M AAV for four to five seasons and it might be but I like Warren at 750K, I’d rather pay Weaver who is a good arm in the bullpen. Sign Bellinger. Off-season is a wrap.
Is it a risk ? Yes, but his upside (2 years ago) is a border line ace. No idea why you keep bringing up Gil and Schlittler as I never once mentioned either.
Just cherry-picking stats to promote your narrative isn’t productive. Weaver had a great year? Um no, he didn’t.
Right off the bat, nobody had a “great year” after having a postseason where they gave up 5 runs, and got one out.
Yanks need a weakside platoon bat too, neither Jones nor Dominguez can hit LHP. Gonna miss Goldy next season, Goldy rakes against LHP. Rob Refsnyder be a good fit for the Yanks.
Bold prediction: King is getting $100 million
I’m thinking King is too much of an injury risk and he needs a pillow contract. Then if he’s healthy he can get his longer term deal next winter.
I used to think that, but I changed my mind.
Did you get a look at his most recent medicals??
One full season as a starter, and then injured again. The need for starting pitching is always great but it certainly leads to some incredibly optimistic contractual bets in hopes that past is not prologue.
Ignorant: That doesn’t really align with what was said in the piece on the trade.
“The Brewers were reportedly looking to move some of their outfield depth, with Collins and Blake Perkins mentioned as potential candidates. Jackson Chourio and Sal Frelick are entrenched as everyday options, with Christian Yelich factoring in when he isn’t DHing. Collins, Perkins, Garrett Mitchell, and Brandon Lockridge were in the mix behind that trio. Milwaukee also added Akil Baddoo on a split deal.”
With that depth and budget constraints, it’s difficult to see the Brewers replacing the young and inexpensive Collins with Duran and his bigger compensation.
Damn they still have a boatload of outfielders!! Dang…okay thanks!
Hah, no.
Yelich at DH.
Chourio, Frelick and Mitchell.
Perkins, Lockridge and Baddoo as backups?
Fangraphs has Bauers in LF, adds some slug in the lineup, but is a certainty a platoon split.
Brewers have some big sluggers on the way, Bitonti, Burke, Fisher, Wilken. Three top 100 MI prospects in Made, Pena and Pratt with Ortiz, Durbin and Turang in place for the next four seasons.
Rotation and the bullpen look great with Peralta at the top.
The Crew looks stacked to me. They have to extend Peralta and they’ll be set.
Issac Collins had a good season, looks like a good player but a nice lefty in the bullpen fits well.
I sure hope they keep Peralta. It would kill me if he gets sent off to an East Coast team.
One year of Peralta to Red Sox for two years of Duran and also receiving a Sox team top 10-12 prospect, like the Bennet guy Sox just got from the Nationals?
Glad to see you coming around – I’ve had 120 as floor depending on years.
I was thinking $85 million for King, but that remains to be seen. $100 million for 5 years is definitely possible for him though. He’s worth that.
When healthy he is great. Since the sleeping injury he has been very hittable. Hope he has recovered.
I REALLY do not understand why Preller just gave up on getting him back. Such a great Padre and critical guy in the clubhouse
Have you seen the going prices for a starting pitcher, that’s why AJ isn’t rushing to get him back unless the price comes down a little.
Pads are broke AF and Preller is expected to hold the payroll as is, if not cut it, and also fill a bunch of holes from losing Cease, King and Suarez, in addition to most likely losing Arraez and O’Hearn – AND compete with GUGGENHEIM NATION up the freeway! It’s an impossible task for most, but this MF just might pull it off again. Be patient, my friends. Be patient.
Get him Baltimore
Yes please
I am a bit leery. Seems like someone ready to break down.
The Yankees should pass.
Do Yankees ever pass in that situation? Like resigning Cole
Mystery team in 3…2…1…
But seriously, on my Yankees wishlist! Let’s go!
*posted before reading the article, but if what Abraham says is true about him, Boston might have the edge here. Fine if true, but really would love to see a reunion.
Breslow will never make a strong bid, injuries.
I sincerely hope that acquiring King doesn’t take us out of the running for Imai or Peralta.
I think we’re one and done on the SP front unless we’re using going use one of our current youngsters in a trade–possible.
*Id stay away from Peralta personally, but Imai sure.
Yeah, I agree. I worry a bit about King after his injury, and I don’t think Schmidt will ever be a long-term option due to repeated injuries.
I’d stay away from Peralta right now due to the prospect cost. However, if the Yanks don’t get any FA starters, it’d be worth checking in.
Freddy is a gamer, would be an epic failure if the Brewers didnt resign him.
It will since there isn’t room for them unless Gil or Warren is traded.
Anyone really expect Boston to make a strong offer to a local NewcEngland guy who wants to pitch for them? More likely, they’re happy to be used to increase the offers from the Yankees and Orioles.
By the way, this is Dewey using my wife’s iPad. Unfortunately, she’s been hospitalized since Thanksgiving day. Doing better now but spent twelve days in isolation.
I hope she gets better sir.
Take care, stranger.
Best wishes for her speedy recovery. Sorry to hear about this!
Prayers for your wife.
Glad to hear that she’s doing better! Best wishes.
Thanks all! Much appreciated. This site has kept me sane. She was talking to her 90 year old mom for the first time since getting sick (on my phone) so I took her iPad and didn’t realize I had that other name signed in. My wife belongs in the hall. Third time since 2014 that she’s had lengthy stays that have been scary. Thanks again everyone for the good wishes.
Dewey… Your wife will be in my family’s prayers. Peace to you in the midst of this.
Hang in there bud. Sending good vibes to you and yours.
Prayers for your wife and you Dewey.
Glad to hear she’s doing better. Make sure to take care of yourself too.
I’ve seen this happen before…Egg Nog is a very chaotic substance. 🙂 (Humor is good medicine, well, good humor is…sorry)
Hoping your wife has a speedy and full recovery!
Dewey, I’m glad your bride is doing better. Hoping for a fully healthy and happy holiday season for you, her, and the entire family.
Best wishes to you all, Dewey!
I pray she recovers n quickly. Xmas no place when in the hospital very sad. Observation from an RN of 50 yrs working every Xmas! Be strong!🎄🎅🤶
Dewey , thoughts and prayers my friend…
Yes, everyone but Boston fans totally believe the Red Sox are competitive for his services
Best wishes to your wife for a full recovery.
Again, thanks all. I’m home now to try to take care of me. That said, today is her birthday and I told her I’d be back if she wanted me to.
Dewey – sorry to hear about your wife and hope she gets to join you at home soon. Take care of yourself and just keep on being there for her.
Best wishes for her speedy recovery
Conclusion: Sox will unload one of the young aces for a role player that they could have overpaid for in free agency.. comprende?
What “young aces” do the Sox have besides Crochet?
They’ll low ball him knowing he wants to come here….and lose him because they’re cheap. Typical Redsox move. But….they were “IN” on him.
San Diego’s wild card series against the Padres? What?
They’ll play anyone, anytime!
They fixed it. It was pretty funny though, especially with your comment!
He’s over 30, hope he doesn’t want more than 3 years from the Sox.
Boston doesn’t “need” King, and the contract is unlikely to be “a good value” with Baltimore and NYY also in the bid. He may want to play there, but money talks to agents.
It’s probably better to sign another SP before trading from the pitching depth. I’d be surprised if they signed king right now, I just don’t see them outbidding other teams, going beyond 3 years.
King feels like the prime example of a guy who’s a fair to great deal at 1 year/$Any Amount and a risk at 2+ years/$Any Amount at this point.
I’d hate to see him go to the Red Sox, but if he’s a Boston guy, it is what it is.
Some folks think he feels burned by the Yankees trading him and loved playing there but has soured on them outside of being a top paid mercenary player.
I can’t imagine him accepting the Orioles offer unless it’s an undeniable offer of like 5 years/$160M or something that nobody else will come close to in years or dollars.
What is your reasoning on this about Os?
They’re a mid-market club without the cache to convince players fielding numerous competitive offers to sign either them, so they’d have to offer extra years and dollars to a relative extreme to get a player to go full mercenary for them as the highest bidder.
so we should expect the Dodgers to announce his signing I guess
Hoyer passes on another.
Seems like Hoyer’s guy is Gallen. Might have to wait for King, Valdez, Suarez, and maybe Imai to come off the board first
Local product wants to play at home. Boston seems like the logical destination if the money is around the same.
King is a risky signing. Guy has been a starter for two years, only healthy for one.
I wouldn’t feel comfortable with the Sox going more than like 2/40, which seems like a slap in the face given how good he was in 2024. But super risky signing.
I mean, the Red Sox rolled some dice with Crochet and his medicals. Granted, he was coming off his great season, rather than an injured year between it like King.
Yeah and it’s great that Crochet was healthy last year, but having Crochet and King at the top of the rotation would make me uneasy.
Doesn’t seem to make sense for the Red Sox have unless they have another deal lined up (Maybe Bello+ for Marte?). Could be he hasn’t received the demand he expected and they are looking to see if he’s a value deal.
But it could also be agents using the Boston media to drive up his price. Wouldn’t surprise me if Baltimore has the best offer on the table and his agents are trying to drive the number or years upward.
Bello for Marte would be a terrible deal and hopefully not something they do (which i know is always possible). So many hitters they could buy with cash over trading from the easiest area of “depth” to deplete: Starting Pitching
Rsox – it makes no sense to trade Bello. He’s young, controlled for a while, cheap, and pitched well last year. People get hung up on Cora pulling him early in that WC game that wasn’t a must win that Cora managed as such.
Those same people seem to forget that Bello outdueled Fried in NY just a few starts before that WC game. To trade him for a guy like Marte – who seems like his teammates have had enough of – seems like a horrible idea.
It’s been widely reported that the holdup on a Marte trade has been the Red Sox unwillingness to give up Early or Tolle. It’s possible the Red Sox see brighter futures for those two than Bello. Whether you like Marte or not, he’s easily the best player who has been rumored to Boston this off-season and would be a great fit as a middle of the order switch hitting infielder.
I’ve been waiting for quite some time for Bello to become the #2 pitcher you’re all hoping for, but after regressing in most areas last year, I’d rather move him than the other two (who have equal or higher upside). Bello’s GB%, K%, contact% and chase% were all worse than in 2024, in some cases considerably. I understand that many are enamored with ERA, but the most accurate aggregate stat for predicting future ERA (including ERA itself) is xERA. His 4.49 xERA last season shows a backend starter rather than a #2.
I still hope for the upside Bello promises, but he hasn’t reached that yet, backslid last year and will cost 71.5mil over the next 5 seasons. That’s money that can be used to improve the offense.
King’s injuries and 2nd half of 2025 concern me, but there’s no question that he’s a considerable upgrade over Bello if/when healthy.
Bello has started 28+ games the last 3 seasons. He put up a 3.35 ERA last year.
Some advanced stats, such as xera and fip, don’t like Bello because he’s not a high strikeout guy. But who the heck cares what those advanced stats are if he continues to get results.
He didn’t backslide last year, he improved. He’s cheap as can be for a middle of the rotation arm that has shown that he can pitch in the AL East. If any of the pitching prospects turn out to pitch as well or better than Bello, the Sox should consider themselves lucky.
Tolle is still all fastball and nothing else. He might end up as a high leverage BP arm. If a team will take him as the headline of a deal for a proven MLB guy, the Red Sox would be moronic not to take it. But the Sox are stuck on this “let’s just get big guys with extension and we can teach them how to pitch” and they haven’t actually had any success with that yet.
@Joemo
I can understand you pessimism regarding Tolle. He was called up when he wasn’t ready in his first year of playing professional baseball and he hasn’t spent significant time developing his secondary pitches. It’s been reported that this will be the focus of his current off-season. He has the upside of a TOR starter but if he doesn’t develop his secondaries then he’ll likely become a reliever as you said (but quite a good one I think). That’s a wide range of outcomes, but given the rotation depth I’d rather they gamble on the upside.
We shouldn’t think of xERA or FIP as ‘advanced stats’ because they aggregate many different statistics into a single number which estimates what a player’s ERA would be without luck/situation involved. So it’s not just the strikeouts (which are very important) but many other statistics which point toward his performance being far below what his ERA would indicate – as ERA is not very predictive of future ERA (there have been many studies to show this), we shouldn’t assume it can be replicated. I’ve supplied many examples of how Bello has backslid already, claiming that he hasn’t regardless of the evidence doesn’t give much to discuss.
Bello has been a reliable starter for 3 years now but he hasn’t developed as hoped and he hasn’t turned into an innings eater, with 166.2 IP as his career high, he’s been a mid-to-back 5 inning starter. He’s young enough that he may still improve and I can understand preferring the certainty to the prospect, but keep in mind moving Bello would free up ~14mil/yr to use on other players.
I can understand the pessimism of the front office concentrating so much on pitchers with great extension, as this is a pretty recent development. Extension is useful as it lessens hitter reaction time and therefore simulates increased velocity. It’s too soon to say for sure if they’re over valuing it, but it’s not changing anytime soon, so let’s hope they’re not.
I’m a fan of Bello and think there is more there for him but he’s was extremely fortunate this past season to get a 3.35 era. It appears he was very babip lucky last year. His underlying analytics didn’t indicate anything but luck last year. In fact most all of the indicators show no difference from 2024 when had a 4.49 era. It’s not all bad though Joemo where has Bello’s swing and miss pitch the changeup gone. He will be 4.5 era guy more than likely if he can’t rediscover that pitch. He also needs to decide what he wants to be do spam that hard sinker and get big ground ball numbers his four seamer seems to get absolutely launched at times. I think next season is a very big season for him he’s not going to pitch like he did last season and get away with it this season.
As for Tolle yes he came into the season, his first as a professional by the way, as a fastball and slider pitcher. The thing is if you watched him in the minors he learned to throw a kick change, a curveball, and a sweeper. It’s obvious when he went to the bigs they just wanted him to spam that fastball and throw a few sliders but he’s going to have a more complete arsenal when the season starts and he’s going to work on it at AAA Worcester. His kick change in particular showed great promise but it was in the early stages of development plus due to his arm angle I think he will develop a really good sweeper. He also has huge extension the most in baseball and he hasn’t pitched a lot he was a two way player before going to TCU. I think he’s very likely to develop his secondaries and let’s remember that fastball is a true plus pitch so if he can develop his secondaries to just average he is going to be a good starter. Based on what I saw since that first game in Greenville until he was called up to Boston he came a long way in one year and I’m very confident he will develop his secondaries to at least be a solid starter. If I’m valuing him in a trade it’s as a mid rotation starter with six years of control.
If the Red Sox sign King then you have to wonder if they have the money in the perceived budget for Bregman.
You also have to believe they are much more likely to make a trade with controllable pitching for a position player of need. I guess it’s possible they go this route possibly sign Bregman and trade for someone but I also think they want to give Mayer a chance this year. I thought the cleaner additions would have been signing Bregman and now either Okumoto or Suarez and moving some salary in a trade but adding King would change this thinking.
If they don’t have the money for Bregman because they sign King I would be fine with that. Use the money elsewhere Okamoto as you mentioned.
WC: The Red Sox are not going to trade their future long-term SP#2 for an aging, expensive 2B. I’ve also heard some rumblings about Marte having “Devers-ish” baggage he would be bringing to Boston. No thanks. Give Marcelo a chance to win the job.
I’m not sure the level of interest Boston truly has in Marte because at least based on recent history their big moves (IE Devers and Crochet) don’t tend to get advertised to the media before they happen.
I feel like the Diamondbacks are using Boston to up the asking price. I think it was J.P. Morosi (god that guy is awful with the way he tries pronounce latin names) the other day that said the D’backs were talking to the Rays about a Marte-for-Ryan Pepiot and Shane Baz deal, which to me would be a steep overpay for the Rays, who don’t usually make trades like that. Unless both Pitchers arms are about to fall off that would be pretty depth-depleting for the Rays
a report recently clarified that it was Pepiot or Baz not both but either way I’d be surprsed to see the Rays do that.
And not for nothing trading the players that are being talked about that it would take for a 31 year old 2B regardless how affordalbe and good his last few years were would be a mistake.
I predicted he would sign with Boston in that contest so I hope the rumors are true.
If not the Padres (and that seems unlikely) I’m just hoping he goes to an AL contender
The Cubs are one of the teams that were reportedly connected to having interest in King. The Cubs are reportedly connected to every FA that might help them win. However they eventually sign lower level guys who may or may not be around at the end of the season. POBO Jed Hoyer is also a magician who is making the Cubs playoff chances disappear
Guess the Tigers will have to look elsewhere for their #2 starter. Sign Valez, Imai, Gallen, trade for Pivetta, Peralta??? Or more likely they just run out Skubal, Flaherty, Mize, Olson, Melton with Montero and Anderson on call as #6.
Looks that way to me too. Gipson-Long an option as well. Wouldn’t mind a short term Gallen signing or a trade for Pivetta/Peralta/Gore. Who do you give up in those deals though? Liranzo, Hamm, Madden, Witherspoon, Jung, Anderson? Maybe a MLB outfielder? Which of those and how many of them? Might as well try one of those trade options and go for it this year.
I think some combo of the guys you named and even Briceno for the right #2. They need to get a bat too or the offence is in the same boat.
King not injured enough and too much cost for Scott. Brad Keller will be the “big” pitching addition. He fits the lower cost, jack of all trades, player AJ loves. Running it back sucks.
I think they went with Drew Anderson instead of Keller? Keller rumors were around the same time.
They need to sign or trade for a solid arm with Skubal, Mize and Flaherty potentially all gone next year. Olson, Melton, Jobe and Montero is not gonna cut it without reinforcements!
I wouldn’t mind King on a short-term deal. Rolling into training camp with 4 guaranteed starters (Crochet/Bello/Gray/King) would be a huge boost for the team out of the gate rather than the past few years of having 2 starters and piecing together the rest
If it’s indeed between these three teams, there is no short-term deal being discussed.
These days a 4 year deal is really a 1 or 2 year if opt-outs are included so who knows…
Just like that everyone is back in on king.
haha, I love it. The entire report was that there were three finalists for King, then 20 minutes later they take it back.
Just like that people remembered John Henry owns the globe.
Is it possible to have the exact same ERA and FIP during the same season?
Only if they’re both equal to pi.
@ignorantSOB
Yes. FIP is an ERA predictor and there’s nothing stopping them from being equal… But it’s a longshot.
Several things are possible at the same time. He’s a talented pitcher. He doesn’t have a lot of miles on his arm,, because of injury and usage. He’s going to be paid well. He’s going to have very good stretches. His contract will be for too long and too much money. He’s not a top of the rotation guy. You’d be happy to have him in your rotation. Giving more than MLBTR’s 4/$80M is a stretch
King moved to the bullpen for San Diego’s Wild Card series against the Padres and….
Yeah…I’m trippin’…..
Paredes is not a free agent. Astros maybe willing to trade him for a young, controllable SP.
Red Sox- leading the league in being interested in someone.
all sizzle and no steak.
If the Sox are looking for a “good deal” on King, that won’t happen if Baltimore and New York are also bidding. King’s going to get a high AAV, short- or medium-term contract, with complicated options and/or opt outs. It won’t be a bargain, but it also won’t be a major long-term commitment. That’s what teams do with high end talent that is coming with major question marks.
King will have undergone Thoracic Outlet surgery by this time next season. Wouldn’t touch him.
King as our #2 in the rotation in Boston.
Would it as good as Peralta, Ragans or Suarez in that position? My 2 cents…the answer is no, but he is a very viable pitcher when healthy. Again the real question is what is going to be done? Trades? Spending on FA? Or continuing to sift through the leftovers looking for something?
Things need to happen before all windows close & then it is another year of sifting through the trash. Get out there & get the 2 hitters needed & a true #2 for the rotation!
Let’s get those bozos who write long articles based on rumors to apologize for garbage writing….
They don’t know what Journalism is….
There are so many sites with such stupid articles that the headlines in a google search make me sick
This site is about the only one I read and I appreciate this site very much
If your a mid market team. Winning a WS once a decade by mortaging your farm system is worth it. Do you want to KC or TB. Occasionally very good or consistent. I’m an Orioles fan. So trade every prospect and kick that can down the road.
Let’s get this reunion done Yankees!