November 4, 2024
The Kansas City Royals and right-hander
Michael Wacha agreed to a three-year, $51 million deal on Sunday, according to sources. The deal to keep Wacha in town includes a club option and can max out at four years and $72 million. The 33-year-old veteran and former first-rounder was a big reason why the Royals surprised with a playoff appearance in 2024 and advanced to the American League Division Series before losing to the New York Yankees. He was fully expected to decline his $16 million player option for 2025 after going 13-8 with a 3.35 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 145 strikeouts in 166 2/3 innings in his 29 regular-season starts. Wacha has pitched pretty well the last three seasons with the Royals, Padres and Red Sox when he's managed to stay healthy. However, he's had issues avoiding the injury bug in the past and doesn't miss as many bats as fantasy managers would like.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
October 3, 2024
Kansas City Royals right-hander
Michael Wacha has been tabbed to start Game 1 of the American League Division Series on Saturday against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Left-hander
Cole Ragans, who dealt with cramping in his calf in his outing against the Baltimore Orioles in Game 1 of the wild-card series on Tuesday, is lined up to start in Game 2 on Monday. Wacha will be opposed by Yankees ace
Gerrit Cole. The 33-year-old veteran was solid for the third straight season in his first year with the Royals in 2024, going 13-8 with a 3.35 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and a 145:45 K:BB in 166 2/3 innings and 29 starts. He's not overpowering but continues to limit hard contact and pitch deep into games. Wacha did not face the Yankees at all this season but wasn't as good on the road, with a 3.78 ERA, a 1.23 WHIP, 77 strikeouts and 26 walks in 85 2/3 innings over 15 starts away from Kauffman Stadium. Wacha won't be a priority DFS sleeper for Saturday's Division Series slate.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com - Anne Rogers
September 9, 2024
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher
Michael Wacha was excellent on Sunday, shutting out the Minnesota Twins for seven innings in a 2-0 win. Wacha allowed just four hits and a walk while punching out seven in this one. The 33-year-old veteran has been clinical for most of the season, just as he has been since the 2022 campaign. He is a reliable source for a good ERA, decent WHIP, and some strikeouts while being a workhorse capable of 175-plus IP. He is a great back-end arm in any fantasy rotation.
--Matt Garon - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
August 17, 2024
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher
Michael Wacha dominated on Saturday evening as he tossed six shutout frames while striking out a season-high nine batters. He allowed just four hits and one free pass. The veteran right-hander carried a modest 3.28 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 9:14 BB:K ratio across his previous four starts entering Saturday, and this stellar outing will get him back on track. Through his first season as a Royal, the 33-year-old has settled in quite well with a 3.33 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP through 127 innings of work. Wacha is currently lined up for a difficult matchup in his next start when the Royals play host to the Philadelphia Phillies next week. Wacha is still worth starting in deeper formats, but it may be best to leave him on your bench in shallower leagues, given the elite bats in the Philadelphia lineup.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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