Wacha gets big raise from Kansas City

The starting pitching for the Royals was as dominant as it could be. Entering the offseason, the team aimed to bring back right-hander Michael Wacha. Many fans were concerned that the 33-year-old would test the free agent market. The front office made it a priority to keep the veteran in Kansas City for an extended period. “There’s no question we’d like to have him back,” General Manager J.J. Picollo said. “How we go about that, I’m not sure just yet. … There are reasons to be optimistic. He pitched very well this year, and he’s going to have opportunities with other clubs. So we’ll work on that.” Wacha also expressed his desire to remain with the Royals, though he was uncertain about his future. “I haven’t really thought too much about it,” he said. “I’ve expressed to these guys how much I enjoy being here and want to be back. I guess when that time comes, we’ll handle it then, but I’m not really thinking too much about it right now.” Wacha joined the team last season on a two-year deal worth $32 million, with the second year being a player option valued at $16 million. That option would be voided once Wacha signed a new three-year deal. The Royals and Wacha didn’t take long to finalize an agreement. The veteran had a strong 2024 season, posting a 3.35 ERA and a 13-8 win-loss record. He didn’t miss a start, proving to be a durable arm in the rotation. In October, Jim Bowden of The Athletic predicted that Wacha would land a three-year deal worth $54 million. Ultimately, he signed for slightly less: a guaranteed $51 million, which includes a club option worth $21 million for 2028. The contract also comes with a one million buyout and four million in incentives.  Fans are excited to see Wacha stay in Kansas City, but such a deal for a pitcher in the midpoint of his career carries risks, similar to the Seth Lugo contract. The main concern is Wacha's injury history, particularly shoulder issues, including inflammation, fatigue, and scapular stress, which have sidelined him in the past. Should the Royals be worried about these inflammation issues? The straightforward answer is yes, but a pitcher with over a decade of experience, like Wacha, typically doesn't scare teams away. Kansas City is the sixth team he has pitched for. Despite his injury history, I believe Wacha still has plenty left in the tank. Shortly after he signed, Picollo expressed his excitement about Wacha’s return: “I do believe that Michael and his wife enjoy being in Kansas City, and that’s always an advantage,” he said. “He had a very good experience here. I think he and (Royals pitching coach) Brian Sweeney got along great. So there are reasons to be optimistic.” Picollo acknowledged that Wacha had pitched well and would attract interest from other clubs. “Luckily, we have a few weeks to sit down with Michael and his representation and try to see how we can work something out.” Fortunately, the two parties reached an agreement. Many experts had anticipated Wacha might not return to Kansas City. Bowden suggested that the Guardians could have been a landing spot, while Sports Illustrated’s Dylan Sanders speculated that the Tigers might have pursued him as well. Other teams, including the Orioles, Pirates, and Dodgers, were also linked to the veteran. With Wacha's return, the Royals can now focus on improving their roster for the upcoming season.

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