What Motivated Ex-Red Sox Pitcher To Stay With AL Central Team

Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Michael Wacha wasn’t interested in making his fourth uniform switch in the past five years once the offseason came around last winter.

Wacha was fresh removed from his second season with the Kansas City Royals, and the right-hander chose to exercise the opt-out option of his two-year, $32 million deal signed in 2023. That decision was made with Wacha’s intentions, not to test the open market and hear other teams out, but to negotiate a revised agreement to stay in Kansas City.

His wish came true in November when the Royals re-signed the 13-year veteran to a three-year, $51 million contract that includes a fourth-year option. That was the goal from the start of the offseason, and Wacha explained why

“We had a really good year last year,” Wacha told MLB Network Radio on Wednesday. “We made a good run in the postseason and it felt like our season ended a little shorter than we wanted, so I was excited to get back with this group and continue what we have been working on last year.”

The Royals made a major leap into the American League’s contender circle. Kansas City secured a spot in the AL Wild Card Series and defeated the Baltimore Orioles to punch their first Division Series ticket since 2015. That run reached its end once the New York Yankees stormed past the Royals in with gentleman’s sweep finish, which left Wacha with feelings of unfinished business and motivated his return.

Wacha played a key role in helping fortify the rotation. He went 13-8 with a 3.35 ERA and tossed 166 2/3 total innings, the most Wacha has thrown since 2016 (181 1/3). So with hopes of a re-run — which Wacha, too, anticipates in 2025 — both sides felt the need to work something out before pitchers and catchers reported for spring training.

Those conversations between Wacha and the Royals began before it was time to sit at the negotiating tables.

“Talking with J.J. (Picollo) and the front office here in Kansas City, they were interested in working on something to get done for the future,” Wacha said. “Once the offseason came around, we put (a contract extension) at the forefront and tried our hardest to work on something to get done. That was because we love the city of Kansas City, we love those guys in the clubhouse that we became family with over the course of last year.”

So far, the Royals are off to a slow 15-15 start as the third-place team in the AL Central. Wacha has gone 1-3 with a 3.38 ERA over six starts, allowing 12 earned runs while striking out 26 batters to begin the clean slate. He’s also held opponents to three or fewer runs in five of his first six outings, giving Kansas City quality appearances that’ll soon pay off once the bats find their rhythm — the Royals rank 25th in batting average (.226).

Should Kansas City pick it up and put together a season equivalent — or better — to 2024, Wacha will maintain a crucial role in helping lead the team on the mound toward the next step in the playoffs.

They’ll be competing with the Cleveland Guardians and the Detroit Tigers.