Royals expected to re-sign former All-Star after strong 2024 season

The Kansas City Royals have had a strong 2024 season thanks in large part to their starting rotation.

They signed both Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha in the offseason to pair with Brady Singer and Cole Ragans, and the rotation has been one of the best in Major League Baseball this year.

However, Wacha is expected to opt out of his contract and return to the free agent market, but his time with the Royals may not be over just yet.

Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report expects Wacha to remain in Kansas City.

"With a 3.50 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 123 strikeouts in 144 innings, already his highest inning total since 2017, Wacha is a safe bet to decline that option in favor of a multi-year deal and more money, but that doesn't mean the Royals should close the book on his time with the team," Reuter wrote. "Tacking another guaranteed year on at the same price with a fresh two-year, $32 million deal might be enough to convince him to stick around."

Wacha's time with the St. Louis Cardinals ended in unceremonious fashion, with shoulder injuries limiting him. He struggled with the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays as well.

However, he reinvented himself with the Boston Red Sox in 2022 and remained healthy for all of 2023 with the San Diego Padres. He has ultimately repeated that success with the Royals, and with Kansas City likely postseason bound, Wacha will play a huge role in their starting rotation.

Depending on how he pitches the rest of the way and into October, the Royals would be wise to re-sign him. He has been one of their most durable and consistent starters this season and he also has a solid postseason track record.

It will be interesting to see if he decides to opt out or remain with the Royals. But if he does opt out, the Royals should certainly try to keep him around and sign him to a new deal.

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