Royals right-hander Michael Wacha will remain in Kansas City for the next three seasons, agreeing to a $51 million deal that could max out at $72 million, multiple media outlets reported on Sunday.
The Royals announced they had agreed to a new contract with Wacha, featuring a club option for 2028, but did not disclose financial terms.
Per the reports, Wacha, 33, will earn $18 million in 2025 and 2026 and $14 million in 2027. According to ESPN, the third year of the deal could be worth an additional $4 million in performance bonuses. The $14 million club option, with a $1 million buyout, includes the same $4 million in incentives.
A 12-year veteran, Wacha was expected to opt out of the final year of his two-year, $32 million deal he signed last winter, ESPN reported. Instead he will remain with the Royals, who reached the postseason but lost to the New York Yankees in the American League Division Series.
The Royals were able to negotiate with Wacha during the five-day quiet period after the World Series when teams can re-sign their pending free agents.
Playing for his sixth team in the last six seasons, Wacha posted strong numbers in 2024, finishing 13-8 in 29 starts with a 3.35 ERA to help Kansas City improve its win total by 30 games over its 2023 record. In 166 2/3 innings, Wacha notched 145 strikeouts and issued 45 walks.
Wacha was drafted No. 19 overall by the Cardinals in 2012 and spent his seven seasons in St. Louis (2013-19) before playing for the New York Mets (2020), Tampa Bay Rays (2021), Boston Red Sox (2022), San Diego Padres (2023) and Royals.
Over his 12 seasons, Wacha is 101-62 with a 3.89 ERA in 278 games (257 starts) with 1,290 strikeouts and 458 walks in 1,454 2/3 innings.