Kansas City Royals starter Michael Wacha will be returning to the team in 2025 on a three-year, $51 million deal with a club option for 2028. With this, the deal would max out at four years for $72 million. In 2024, Wacha recorded a 13-8 record with a 3.35 ERA with 145 strikeouts across 166 2/3 innings of work. The 33-year-old right-hander won the NLCS MVP in 2013 with the St. Louis Cardinals and was a 2015 All-Star.
Right-hander Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals are in agreement on a three-year, $51 million contract, sources tell ESPN. The deal includes a club option and can max out at four years, $72 million.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 3, 2024
Michael Wacha Signs 3-Year Deal with Royals
Since free agency doesn’t start until tomorrow, only free agents can sign contracts with the teams they played for this past season. The re-signing of Wacha is well deserved, giving several years of trust to a starter who has demonstrated consistency, not only in his solid 2024 numbers, but also in his 2023 season with the San Diego Padres. He put up similar numbers that year, with a 14-4 record and a 3.22 ERA. The deal works well for both Wacha and the Royals as they get to maintain a reliable veteran pitcher. His yearly payout isn’t high and he gets to continue his career on a high note. Now, free agency will be moving quicker as the offseason continues to unfold.
The Veteran’s Value
Wacha showed dominance for long stretches early in his career while pitching in a Cardinals uniform, recording an ERA of 3.79 with the team. He has spent the majority of his career to this point in St. Louis, while spending one year each with the New York Mets, Tampa Bay Rays, Boston Red Sox, and Padres. Wacha was a key starter for the Cardinals for seven seasons (2013 to 2019).
#Royals name old friend Michael Wacha as their August Pitcher of the Month after recording a 3.19 ERA in 5 starts. Was 1 of just 3 American Leaguers last month with 3+ wins and no losses.
Since leaving #RedSox after 2022, Wacha is 25-11 with a 3.36 ERA/1.186 WHIP in 49 starts.
— Red Sox Nation Stats (@RSNStats) September 3, 2024
Wacha’s career achievements include a 2013 World Series title and a 2015 All-Star nod. He enjoyed a strong rookie season in 2013, including coming within one out of a no-hitter against the Washington Nationals. The veteran relies on six pitches but primarily turns to the changeup, demonstrating a solid whiff percentage.
In one start against the Minnesota Twins on September 8, Wacha demonstrated a commanding use of his changeup, with a 52.2 whiff percentage (16 swings and misses overall) Since his departure from the Red Sox in 2022, Wacha has a 25-11 record with a 3.36 ERA and a 1.186 WHIP across 49 starts. He was named Kansas City’s August Pitcher of the Month this year, putting up a 3.19 ERA through five strong starts. He was just one of three AL pitchers to record more than three wins with no defeats in August.
Michael Wacha continued his strong season with a strong start in a pivotal matchup against Minnesota
Wacha’s changeup was disgusting, returning a 52.2 Whiff% and leading him to 16 whiffs overall.
He has a 3.34 ERA over 151 IP pic.twitter.com/oy3UweOLnE
— Thomas Nestico (@TJStats) September 8, 2024
Photo Credit: © Brad Penner-Imagn Images
