The Kansas City Royals are bringing back right-handed pitcher Michael Wacha on a three-year, $51 million contract, which features a club option for the 2028 season, as revealed by a source to The Associated Press on Sunday.
The contract could potentially reach $72 million over four years with performance bonuses. The source, speaking on condition of anonymity since the team hasn’t announced financial specifics, noted that Wacha will earn $18 million annually for the next two years and $14 million in 2027. The deal also includes a $14 million club option for 2028, with a $1 million buyout. Wacha has the chance to earn up to $4 million in performance bonuses in 2027 and 2028, with payouts starting at 105 innings pitched and increasing at five-inning intervals up to 140.
At 33, Wacha posted a 13-8 record with a 3.35 ERA last season. He originally signed with Kansas City last offseason with a contract that included a $16 million salary for 2024 and a $16 million player option for 2025.
Despite being a sought-after free agent, Wacha chose stability with the Royals, which also solidifies the team’s starting rotation. He is set to address the media on Monday at Kauffman Stadium.
“I do believe that Michael and his wife enjoy being in Kansas City, and that’s always an advantage,” Royals GM J.J. Picollo said when asked about re-signing Wacha at season’s end. “He had a very good experience here. I think he and (pitching coach) Brian Sweeney worked well together. So there’s reason for optimism.”
Picollo added, “He pitched very well this year and will have interest from other clubs, so we’ll need to work on it. Fortunately, we have some time to meet with Michael and his representatives to see if we can reach an agreement.”
Wacha made 29 starts last season, throwing 166.2 innings—the second-highest total in his 12-year MLB career—and posted a top-10 ERA in the American League. His contributions were key to Kansas City’s rotation, which ended the season with a 3.55 ERA, the second-best in the majors.
He started twice in the AL Division Series against the Yankees, going head-to-head with Gerrit Cole. In Game 1 at Yankee Stadium, Wacha earned a no-decision after surrendering three runs on four hits and three walks over three innings. In Game 4, he took the loss despite giving up just two runs on six hits and a walk through nearly five innings.
Wacha’s return reinforces a rotation that features All-Stars Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo, as well as Brady Singer. The competition for the fifth spot will likely include Kyle Wright, who was acquired from the Braves and is recovering from shoulder surgery, and other contenders like Alec Marsh in spring training.
