Royals re-sign Michael Wacha to three-year, $51 million deal

The Royals retain the veteran right-hander.

The Royals have re-signed right-handed pitcher Michael Wacha to a three-year, $51 million deal, according to MLB.com reporter Anne Rogers. The deal comes with a club option for a fourth year.

Wacha originally signed a $16 million deal for 2024, but rejected a $16 million player option for 2025. But the Royals expressed a desire to keep him in Kansas City, and he expressed an interest in staying here. Today is the last exclusive negotiating day for free agents before other teams can officially sign them.

The 33-year-old was one of the top 20 starting pitchers in baseball by fWAR this year, posting a 3.35 ERA in 166 ²⁄₃ innings, with a 2.79 ERA after the All-Star break. The 33-year-old is a 12-year MLB veteran with 101 career wins and a 3.89 ERA in his time with the Cardinals, Mets, Rays, Red Sox, Padres, and Royals. Last year was the most innings he has thrown since his All-Star season 2015, and the most fWAR for him in a single season.

This deal and the other contract option decisions this week give the Royals six players signed next year:

• Salvador Perez, $20 million
• Michael Wacha $18 million
• Seth Lugo, $15 million
• Bobby Witt Jr., $8.1 million
• Hunter Renfroe, $7.5 million
• Chris Stratton, $4.5 million

That plus a $2.5 million buyout for Adam Frazier totals to $75.6 million. The Royals also have nine arbitration-eligible players that will make around $26 million. This year, the Royals had an Opening Day payroll of $115 million.