Padres Problem Could Lead to Perfect Outcome for Red Sox originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With the possibility of losing Sonny Gray to MLB free agency, and reports now indicating he plans to pitch in 2027 despite some retirement rumors, the Red Sox could be interested in adding another starter.
If Boston learned anything this year, it's that it can't rely on health. Guys like Garrett Crochet were out, and there were many other injuries on both sides of the baseball that were issues throughout the season.
Among the potential options for the Red Sox to pursue, someone like Michael King needs to be at the top of that list.
King has been one of baseball's better starters over the past couple of seasons and was absolutely dominant in the postseason this year.
According to the latest report from MLB.com, while the San Diego Padres would like to bring him and Adrian Morejon back, it's viewed as a long shot.
“Tarik Skubal will be the crown jewel of this year’s free-agent class, but King -- who is widely expected to decline his player option to give free agency another try -- will be a highly coveted arm for teams seeking help atop the rotation. The Padres will likely try to retain King and reliever Adrian Morejon, though it seems like a long shot that San Diego will be able to keep both pitchers,” Mark Feinsand of MLB.com wrote.
One would assume that the plan would be to bring a guy like King back before a reliever, but Morejon is extremely important to San Diego as well.
He'd also be much cheaper, since he's a reliever and not a starter like King.
Regardless, one could even argue that Morejon would be an excellent fit in Boston as well. For that reason, and more, the Red Sox should benefit from San Diego being in a weird position.