Former Rays starting pitcher inks 3-year deal with AL Central club

Michael Wacha started his 12-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals at the age of 21. The Texas A&M graduate played seven seasons for the Cardinals and accumulated consistent results as he went 59-39 with a 3.91 ERA. Despite the success, the New York Mets signed him out of free agency in 2019 on a measly one-year, $3 million deal. Ever since, the veteran hurler has relocated each season. The Royals are now giving him a chance to thrive in a single organization, so hopefully he is able to continue his resurgence.

In December of 2020, the Rays signed Wacha after his contract with the Mets expired. Tampa Bay offered him a replica one-year, $3 million deal after a rough season that saw him appear in only 34 innings.

The Rays' front office firmly believed in Kyle Snyder and company's ability to revive the talented pitcher in the prime of his career. Unfortunately, it didn't pan out quite as they planned.

Michael Wacha threw 124.2 innings which was a notable increase from his 2020 campaign. However, the 29-year old was very inconsistent throughout the year. He gave up 23 HRs en route to a 5.05 ERA. There were a few bright spots to his game in Tampa Bay as he recorded 121 strikeouts, the third most in his career.

His post-Rays' highlights started to improve each season after leaving the Sunshine State. In 2022, his win-loss record was an amazing 11-2 with a 3.32 ERA with the Boston Red Sox. He also led the major leagues with one complete game shutout, a stat that has become much less common in the modern era.

Wacha had another successful season with the San Diego Padres a year later as he finished 14-4 for the southern California club. After two successful years in a row, Kansas City took notice and signed Wacha to a 2-year deal worth $32 million. In 2024, Michael Wacha appeared in 166.2 innings which would equal the second most in his career. Within those frames, he struck out 145 opponents to go along with a 13-8 record.

Yesterday, the journeyman signed a hefty contract extension that would keep him in Royals blue for three more seasons. His lengthy contract totals $51 million with a club option for the 2028 season. Congratulations to the consistent starter as he looks to continue flourishing in a tough American League Central division.