MLB Rumors: Michael Wacha, Royals Agree to 3-Year, $51M Contract, Can Max Out at $72M

KANSAS CITY, MO - OCTOBER 10: Kansas City Royals pitcher Michael Wacha (52) walks to the dugout after the third inning of game 4 of the ALDS between the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals on October 10, 2024 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Kansas City Royals agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal with starting pitcher Michael Wacha, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

Passan reported the contract, which includes a club option for the 2028 season, can max out at $72 million.

Kansas City Royals @Royals

Coming back to KC!

We have agreed to terms with RHP Michael Wacha on a three-year contract with a club option for 2028. pic.twitter.com/kbGzSEyr0m

Wacha and Kansas City originally agreed to a two-year pact last winter. The second year was a $16 million player option.

Now, the right-hander gets a little more financial security, while the Royals have him on the books for two more years than if he had picked up his option. At this point, Wacha is probably tired of changing uniforms.

Mike Petriello @mike_petriello

Here is the only offseason storyline I am interested in: Will Michael Wacha end up on his seventh team in seven seasons pic.twitter.com/pFAjNJd4AT

The 33-year-old presents some risk in terms of his durability since he hasn’t made 30 starts in a single season since 2017.

His performance over the last three years has been a model of consistency, though. From 2022 on, he has maintained a 3.30 ERA and a 3.87 FIP while averaging 7.8 strikeouts to 2.5 walks per nine innings, according to Baseball Reference.

Wacha’s changeup was downright filthy in 2024. Per Baseball Savant, opposing hitters slugged just .312 and had a 34.1 percent whiff rate on that pitch.

Pitching has long been an issue for the Royals. During a lengthy rebuild, they invested a lot of draft capital toward their starting rotation and saw little return on the field.

Signing Wacha and Seth Lugo last offseason represented a slight change of tack, and both wound up exceeding expectations. Cole Ragans, who arrived in 2023 from the Aroldis Chapman trade, has also thrived after Kansas City moved him from the bullpen to the rotation full time.

Kansas City made a 30-win improvement this year, going from 106 losses to a wild-card berth. Considering the makeup of the squad, there’s no reason why the Royals can’t maintain that in 2025 and challenge for an American League Central crown.

Getting Wacha extended before he could even hit free agency was a nice boost to the general atmosphere surrounding the organization.

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