The Boston Red Sox have already made major improvements to their starting rotation this offseason, but could still make another big move.

The Red Sox’s trade with the St. Louis Cardinals for three-time All-Star pitcher Sonny Gray finallygave the team the No. 2 starter it had been desperately trying to add since the trade deadline to pair with Garrett Crochet. Despite this impressive addition, Boston may not be done in its pursuit of talented hurlers this offseason.

The Athletic’s Jim Bowden predicted that the Red Sox could make a big splash by signing one of the most undervalued players available in free agency, San Diego Padres pitcher Michael King.

“King is the most undervalued pitcher on the market, and I predict he will provide the best bang for the buck among this year’s free-agent starters,” Bowden wrote Wednesday. “He has great makeup, nasty stuff, and really knows how to pitch. If he can stay healthy, he has the talent to be a Cy Young contender.

“However, he’s coming off of an injury-plagued season, which may lead to him taking a shorter deal with a higher AAV and opt-outs on both sides. A return to the Yankees would be his best play, but joining the Red Sox as they build an elite rotation would also work.”

After spending the first five seasons of his career primarily working out of the bullpen for the New York Yankees, King flourished in a starting role with the Padres. In his first full season as a starter, King excelled with a 13-9 record, posting a 2.95 ERA while striking out over 200 batters in 31 appearances.

Injuries derailed much of King’s 2025 campaign, yet the 30-year-old hurler still managed a 3.44 ERA in 15 starts this season. King is one of the top available pitchers on the market, but teams will be hesitant to shell out a massive contract after his injuries this season.

Boston already is set to have one of the better starting rotations in the league, but the addition of King could push the Red Sox to new heights as they eye a return to the playoffs next season.

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