KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals have finalized a three-year agreement with right-handed pitcher Michael Wacha, which includes a club option for the 2028 season. This signing secures a crucial component of their starting rotation following his significant contribution to the team, leading them to the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade.
Wacha, who is 33 years old, had a productive season with a record of 13-8 and an impressive 3.35 ERA. He initially joined the Royals last offseason under a contract that featured a $16 million player option for the following season. While the specifics of the new agreement have not been disclosed, it aligns with Wacha’s desire for stability and offers the Royals more reliability within their pitching staff.
Royals general manager J.J. Picollo expressed optimism about Wacha’s re-signing earlier in the offseason, noting the positive connection between Wacha, his family, and the city of Kansas City. Picollo mentioned that Wacha had a fulfilling experience with the team and shared a strong rapport with Royals pitching coach Brian Sweeney, which contributes to their encouraging outlook regarding the renewal of Wacha’s contract.
Despite his successful season, Picollo acknowledged that Wacha’s strong performance would attract interest from other teams, and they would need to negotiate closely with him and his agents. Thankfully, there was still time to explore possibilities for an extension, which ultimately led to this new agreement.
During the past season, Wacha started 29 games and pitched a total of 166.2 innings, marking the second-highest total of his 12-year MLB career. He ranked among the top ten pitchers in the American League for ERA, playing a pivotal role in lifting the Royals’ rotation to a notable second-best position in the majors with a collective 3.55 ERA.
In the playoffs, Wacha made two starts in the American League Division Series against the New York Yankees. He faced off against Gerrit Cole in both games. In his initial appearance at Yankee Stadium, he did not receive a decision, allowing three runs over four hits along with three walks across three innings. His second outing ended in a loss despite his strong performance where he yielded only two runs on six hits and a walk through almost five innings, exemplifying his effectiveness even in pressure situations.
As Wacha rejoins the Royals, he will bolster a rotation that includes All-Stars such as Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo, alongside Brady Singer. The fifth spot in the rotation remains open, potentially filled by Kyle Wright, who was brought in through a trade with the Atlanta Braves but spent last season recovering from shoulder surgery. Wright will face competition in spring training from pitcher Alec Marsh and a few others vying for that crucial position.