Major Roster Moves: Royals Agree to 3-Year, $51M Contract that Can Max Out at $72M for Veteran Starting Pitcher
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.
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.
At 33 years old, Wacha carries some risk regarding his durability, as he hasn’t made 30 starts in a season since 2017. However, his performance over the past three years has been quite steady. Since 2022, he has recorded a 3.30 ERA and a 3.87 FIP, averaging 7.8 strikeouts and 2.5 walks per nine innings, according to Baseball Reference. His changeup was particularly effective in 2024, with opposing batters posting a .312 slugging percentage and a 34.1 percent miss rate on the pitch, according to Baseball Savant.
Pitching has historically been a challenge for the Royals. During their extended rebuilding phase, they invested heavily in their starting rotation through the draft but saw minimal returns on the field. The signings of Wacha and Seth Lugo last offseason marked a shift in strategy, and both players exceeded expectations. Additionally, Cole Ragans, who joined the team from the Aroldis Chapman trade in 2023, has thrived since being transitioned from the bullpen to the rotation full-time.
This year, Kansas City achieved a notable turnaround, improving by 30 wins and securing a wild-card spot after finishing with 106 losses in the previous season. Given the current composition of the team, there’s every reason to believe the Royals can maintain this success in 2025 and contend for the American League Central title.
Extending Wacha before he reached free agency has positively contributed to the overall atmosphere within the organization.
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