KC Royals Sign Pending Free Agent To Big 3-Year Deal

The Kansas City Royals liked what they saw from the 12-year veteran hurler, so they have circumvented Michael Wacha from entering free agency by signing him to a 3-year deal worth $51 million, with a chance to go as high as $72 million in a 4th year with a club option and some performance bonuses.

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
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) November 3, 2024

Wacha had his third straight excellent season since turning 30, posting a 13-8 mark with a 3.35 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP with a 145:45 strikeout to walk ratio in his first year in KC. That followed ERAs of 3.22 with the San Diego Padres in 2023 and 3.32 with the Boston Red Sox in 2022. Over that three-year span, he has a record of 38-14.

The 33-year-old could have declined his player option and become an unrestricted free agent, but as a key part of the Royals' resurgence and emergence as a playoff team for the first time in nine years, they definitely wanted to keep the veteran around. Kansas City’s rotation ranked second in the majors with a 3.55 ERA.

Now, the top four from that staff will stay together, with Wacha re-joining Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans and Brady Singer.

This will be the first time since 2018-19 that Wacha has pitched for the same team in consecutive seasons.