Another Boston Red Sox player exits for a plane ride to the west coast.
Much like Xander Bogaerts, Michael Wacha signed a deal with the San Diego Padres (albeit for much less). The move is not as seismic as the Bogaerts one, but it does solidify a burgeoning pitching staff in San Diego and leave somewhat of a hole in Boston’s staff.
Wacha is on the verge of a multiyear deal with the Padres that could be worth up to $24 million. If the physical looks good, he will join an impressive staff of Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Blake Snell, Nick Martinez, and Seth Lugo.
He has a career ERA of 4.05 with a 74-50 record in 10 years of Major League action. He spent seven years with the St. Louis Cardinals (2013-2019) before hopping between three different teams these past few seasons.
Free-agent right-hander Michael Wacha in agreement with Padres, pending physical, sources tell @TheAthletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 14, 2023
Padres Land Best Remaining Pitcher
What does this mean for San Diego?
The hope for San Diego is Wacha’s 2022 was not an aberration. When injuries and general instability dictated Boston’s 2022, Wacha unironically became the ace. His surface-level stats were team-leading (11-2, 3.32 ERA) amongst an unstable pitching staff. It was only the third time in his career he finished with double-digit wins and an ERA of under 4.
All in all last was a far cry from his abysmal three-year stretch from 2019-2021 when his cumulative ERA was a hair under 5.5. At times, he looked like his 2015 All-Star self again when he finished with 17 wins.
Even if his 2022 was an anomaly, Wacha will undoubtedly serve a role in San Diego more suitable to his skill level. Having the one-two punch of Darvish and Musgrove signed long-term means Wacha doesn’t have to punch above his weight anymore.
Instead, Wacha will slot in as a worthy Mike Clevinger replacement since the latter left for the Chicago White Sox. If anything, this might be an upgrade since Clevinger struggled in 2022 a year removed from Tommy John surgery.
What does this mean for Boston?
Some Sox fans may look at this loss as another missed opportunity, but in all honesty, the rotation was already crowded.
With Chris Sale healthy and Corey Kluber signed, the Sox are currently fielding a six-man rotation with no room for Wacha. The Sox would rather develop Brayan Bello as the ace of the future rather than rely on someone who could fail to emulate a seemingly improbable season.
Considering Chaim Bloom’s economical track record as the team’s chief baseball officer, a multi-year contract for an inconsistent player entering his age 31 season doesn’t make much sense. Wacha was looking for some more money after a stellar season, but there’s no guarantee he will capture lightning in a bottle again.
It only made sense for the Sox to move on.
Main photo credits:
Paul Rutherford-USA Today Sports
Players mentioned:
Xander Bogaerts, Michael Wacha, Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Blake Snell, Nick Martinez, Seth Lugo, Mike Clevinger, Chris Sale, Corey Kluber, Brayan Bello
