How Michael Wacha’s player option could affect Kansas City Royals’ offseason plans

Michael Wacha has a big decision to make.

The Kansas City Royals veteran starter holds a $16 million player option for the 2025 season and could decide to opt out and test free agency.

This season, he posted a 13-8 record with a 3.35 ERA in 29 starts. He stabilized the Royals starting rotation with leadership and advice for younger pitchers such as Cole Ragans, Brady Singer and Alec Marsh.

“We would like to have him back,” general manager J.J. Picollo said Monday. “There is no question, we would like to have him back.”

The reason why was evident in 2024.

Wacha brings both tangible and intangible value to KC. He tossed 166 ⅔ innings, which was the second-highest total of his career. The Royals valued his dependability in making 14 quality starts.

Wacha is seen as a trusted voice in the clubhouse. He helped orchestrate in-game pitching huddles in the dugout and was a key figure for pregame bullpen sessions.

But will he return?

“I do believe that Michael and his wife enjoy being in Kansas City and that’s always an advantage,” Picollo said. “He had a very good experience here. I think he and (Royals pitching coach) Brian Sweeney got along great. So there are reasons to be optimistic. But he pitched very well this year and he is going to have opportunities with other clubs, so we will work on that. Luckily, we have a few weeks to sit down with Michael and his representation and try to see how we can work something out.”

Wacha reflected on his time in Kansas City last week. He echoed the same sentiments as expressed by Picollo on Monday.

“It has been great here in Kansas City,” Wacha said. “It’s been a lot of fun getting to be in this community over the course of the summer. I feel like they’ve embraced me and my family. It’s been great. Me and my wife, we’re both Midwestern people. I was born in Iowa, I grew up in Texas. But my wife is from St. Louis. This part of the country fits us well, we feel like. And a lot of family close by is nice, getting to see them a lot.”

The Royals’ offseason plans could be contingent — or at least shift — on Wacha’s decision.

The club returns starters Ragans, Singer, Marsh and Seth Lugo. Other starting candidates include Kyle Wright, who missed the 2024 season with a shoulder injury, Kris Bubic and Daniel Lynch IV.

Wright continues to increase velocity during his rehab. He recently touched 90 mph with his fastball in a bullpen session. The Royals are excited to see him return next spring but remain cautious.

Lynch and Bubic both thrived in the Royals bullpen. They could remain in their current roles and continue to be built up throughout the offseason. Quatraro mentioned both pitchers as potential options to start.

“We have to keep all of our options open,” Quatraro said. “Because like we just talked about, the health we had this year, that might not be the case next year. We have to have guys built up as depth, but we also have to give the guys that we feel give us the best opportunity to eat up quality innings an opportunity to do that.”

Depth is important to the Royals. They would like to have at least seven to nine guys available to make starts in case of injuries. Wacha being a key member of the starting rotation helps the other guys settle into their roles.

Picollo didn’t rule out a further external move if Wacha declines his player option.

“We have to be very cognizant of that and look to add in any way we can,” Picollo said. “Looking at what could be our returning rotation, we may not have to put much finances into it as we did last year, but we still will be looking at depth.”

For now, Wacha remains an important piece of the Royals puzzle, and one they don’t want to lose.

“If we are not fortunate enough to have Michael (Wacha) back,” Picollo said, “then we are going to have to look on the market or look to make a move.”