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Rays Sign Michael Wacha

By Steve Adams | December 18, 2020 at 9:30am CDT

The Rays added a veteran source of innings to their rotation Friday morning, announcing a one-year deal with right-hander Michael Wacha. The CAA client will reportedly land a $3MM guarantee on the heels of a rough 2020 season with the Mets. That’s the same salary (prior to pro-rating) that Wacha earned in New York last season.

Michael Wacha | Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Wacha struggled through eight games with the Mets in the abbreviated 2020 season, pitching to a 6.62 ERA with a whopping nine home runs allowed in just 34 innings. His 2019 season was also rather lackluster campaign owing in no small part to knee and shoulder injuries — the latter of which has been a recurring issue throughout his career.

Despite the down showing, Wacha was reportedly a fairly popular target among free-agent starters due to his age and price point. The 2015 All-Star also logged a very strong 37-to-7 K/BB ratio in those 34 frames while seeing marked upticks in swinging-strike rate and opponents’ chase rate. His 11.3 percent swinging-strike rate trails only his 11.4 percent mark from his rookie campaign back in 2013, and Wacha’s 34.3 percent chase rate on pitches outside the strike zone was far and away a career-high. He won’t turn 30 until July, either, making Wacha younger than several other free-agent rotation options on the market.

Wacha’s average fastball velocity bottomed out with the Cardinals in 2019, sitting at a career-low 93 mph, per Statcast. He made some positive gains last year, sitting at 93.6 mph with the pitch, but he’s still a ways removed from his 95.1 mph peak back in 2017. He altered his pitch selection considerably in 2020, scrapping a once highly effective curveball to lean into a three-pitch mix featuring his four-seamer, cutter and changeup. The results weren’t great from a run-prevention standpoint, although the aforementioned gains in missed bats surely piqued the Rays’ interest.

Wacha is a sensible pickup for the Rays, who earlier this winter declined their $15MM club option on Charlie Morton but still have high-end starters Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow to front the rotation. Depth, however, is more of an issue than usual for Tampa Bay, as each of Yonny Chirinos (Tommy John surgery), Jalen Beeks (Tommy John surgery) and Brendan McKay (shoulder surgery) went under the knife in the past several months. Chirinos and Beeks won’t pitch in 2021. McKay’s timeline is still muddy. Prior indications have been that he’ll be delayed in ’21 but eventually be able to take the mound.

With Wacha now on board, the Rays will presumably deploy a starting mix of Snell, Glasnow, Wacha and Ryan Yarbrough. Lefty Josh Fleming, righty Trevor Richards and top prospect Shane McClanahan are all candidates to claim permanent spots in the rotation as well. The Rays were also the club to popularize the usage of openers, so it’s possible they’ll eschew a set fifth starter entirely, instead gravitating toward less conventional means of pitcher use. The possibility of trading a more experienced starter can’t be written off, either, as Snell’s name has popped up on the rumor circuit at multiple points this winter.

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times first reported that the two sides were “deep” in talks and that the two sides had reached a $3MM agreement (Twitter links).

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Michael Wacha Newsstand Tampa Bay Rays Transactions

Red Sox Rumors: Outfield, Rotation, Second Base, Barnes
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Cubs, James Bourque Agree To Minor League Deal
123 comments
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Comments

  1. Steve Nebraska

    1 month ago

    Does this make Wacha early favorite for 2021 AL Comeback Player of the year and 2022 Cy Young award winner?

    23 Like
    Reply
    • Marty McRae

      1 month ago

      Wacha will definitely have an ERA of 0.84 next year as a member of the Rays. His ERA for any other team would have been 6.27.

      16 Like
      Reply
      • MrMet62

        1 month ago

        Agreed. The Rays have that magical ability!

        2 Like
        Reply
        • BPax

          1 month ago

          If you say WACHA WACHA WACHA WACHA……………it sounds like you’re playing Pac Man. Just sayin”

          4 Like
          Reply
        • Prospectnvstr

          1 month ago

          Or you’re doing a Fozzie the bear impersonation.

          5 Like
          Reply
        • TJECK109

          1 month ago

          Definitely fozzie bear

          1 Like
          Reply
        • bigguccisosa300

          1 month ago

          Waka Flocka

          Like
          Reply
    • steven scott

      1 month ago

      no his best years are long behind him, he’s not even a 5th starter any more

      3 Like
      Reply
      • stan lee the manly

        1 month ago

        Wacha is easily at least a 4 if he’s healthy. That’s the issue though, he’s apparently got some structural issues in his shoulder that he can’t do anything about, he’s always had it. At this point all he can do is try to manage it

        Like
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        • brodie-bruce

          1 month ago

          it was a shame too because when healthy he was nasty but every around mid june the wheels would fall off. i think putting him in the backend or a 6th starter (i can see the rays using 6 starters they use opener) might help him stay healthy all season due to lighter work load

          Like
          Reply
      • Marty McRae

        1 month ago

        That’s what you think….but you see, the Rays have this tendency….

        Like
        Reply
      • Tim_Buck-Two

        1 month ago

        There was a strong case in Wachas numbers that he would be a good bullpen arm even possibly a closer from 2016-2018. He was great 1st time through the line up then ok a 2nd time through the line up then just awful the 3rd time through the line up. I’m not so sure about now, after 2020, but with how the Rays operate their pitching staff this signing makes a hell of a lot of sense from a numbers stand point.

        1 Like
        Reply
      • I ❤ Sports

        1 month ago

        Scott Braun, Ken Rosenthal, and Joel Sherman think otherwise.

        Like
        Reply
    • lowtalker1

      1 month ago

      This isn’t the astros

      1 Like
      Reply
  2. radiohead801

    1 month ago

    Would not put it past Wacha and the Rays to turn this into a smart, bargain deal. Good pitcher coming off a bad year coming to an organization that gets the best out of their pitchers.

    7 Like
    Reply
  3. bluejays92

    1 month ago

    If you’re going to get things back on track as a pitcher there are few places better than Tampa to go do so.

    6 Like
    Reply
  4. joedirte4life

    1 month ago

    Should have just picked up Mortons option

    1 Like
    Reply
    • balloonknots

      1 month ago

      Wacha is another value play of so many have worked out well but not all do! I am all in and with wacha vs Morton, if we get to go games next year this means my $25 third base line with free parking is still on to watch meaningful very good baseball late into season. Thank you very much

      2 Like
      Reply
    • radiohead801

      1 month ago

      Why would they pick up such an expensive option for an older player?

      2 Like
      Reply
      • Sideline Redwine

        1 month ago

        He is still dominant, provides veteran leadership and presence, and is *lights out* in postseason. If you made that comment, I am assuming you don’t watch much baseball, or at least not much aside from yr favorite team. There’s a reason the Braves paid him.

        2 Like
        Reply
        • vtadave

          1 month ago

          He also had a 4.74 ERA and missed time with a shoulder injury.

          4 Like
          Reply
        • alwaysgo4two

          1 month ago

          He’s occasionally dominant now and this is coming from a Rays fan who witnessed a great 2019 vs a multi injury interrupted 2020. Great guy….class act but I’m actually ok with him leaving as long as they don’t pocket the savings which is the true Rays way. Good luck to Charlie.

          2 Like
          Reply
        • joedirte4life

          1 month ago

          And pitched lights out in the playoffs. And Wacha had a 6.62 ERA so dont play that card.

          Like
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        • raysdude7676

          1 month ago

          Morton was just okay last year, is older, and recently battled some injuries. That is a lot of risk to take on for a Rays team that has such a small budget. I was okay with the Rays not picking up his option, it’s just a bummer our pitching depth is lower than usual too. Hopefully Wacha rebounds!

          1 Like
          Reply
        • alwaysgo4two

          1 month ago

          Don’t play WHAT card?? I simply said that I was ok with Morton going as the Rays can’t take a chance for a player to lose time when paying him 1/4 of the teams payroll. You are comparing a couple good playoff performances to a terrible year by Wacha? That’s why they could even afford him in the first place.

          Like
          Reply
        • radiohead801

          1 month ago

          They’re idiots like you?

          Like
          Reply
    • alwaysgo4two

      1 month ago

      Well…..it’s 3 mil vs 15 mil. To the ridiculously budget minded Rays that’s like a puddle vs the Gulf of Mexico.

      2 Like
      Reply
    • Tim_Buck-Two

      1 month ago

      With the way the Rays opperate their pitching staff I can see Wacha and his problematic shoulder thriving in Tampa Bay. His problem is work load, you put him out there for 4-5 innings 2 times through a line up max and I can see this working out great for both the Rays and Wacha. Wacha was going to be something great, then his shoulder couldn’t handle pitching no hitters into the 7th and 8th inning anymore… Rays wouldn’t let Snell pitch past the 6th inning in a game he was absolutely dealing in.

      Like
      Reply
  5. mlb2992

    1 month ago

    Love it. Would be a classic Rays move

    Like
    Reply
  6. MetsFan22

    1 month ago

    People really think the rays have this magic wand lol.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • bucketbrew35

      1 month ago

      Obviously you haven’t been paying attention. They clearly have the right minds in place that separate them from the pack in a lot of areas.

      13 Like
      Reply
      • MetsFan2021

        1 month ago

        I hope Wacha recovers well in Tampa Bay! As a Met fan, he is very injury prone, but showed flashes of being a solid number 5.

        Like
        Reply
      • For Love of the Game

        1 month ago

        Correct. This move wouldn’t have raised eyebrows for almost any team in MLB, a buy-low move that happens all the time. But coming from the chea-pass Rays, this signals they see something others don’t. I’ll bet this turns out to be a shrewd move for both the Rays and Wacha.

        2 Like
        Reply
        • cards81

          1 month ago

          @For the love of the game…..I’ll take that bet…I guarantee the Rays will regret this signing, even at 3 mil, and Wacha will be on the IL for most of the season…that is after giving up a bunch of home runs

          1 Like
          Reply
        • RaysFanTL

          1 month ago

          still salty about the arozarena trade aren;t we

          3 Like
          Reply
        • cards81

          1 month ago

          not at all…has nothing to do with it…Just stating facts…Wacha is no good…The cardinals orginization is still very successful…and overall the rays don’t even come close to their success…the cardinals still got Libetore….congrats on getting to the WS…yawn…now win one and we can talk…win 11 and we can talk further

          1 Like
          Reply
        • radiohead801

          1 month ago

          Why do negative? Grow up.

          6 Like
          Reply
        • RaysFanTL

          1 month ago

          super salty

          Like
          Reply
        • startinglineup

          1 month ago

          To be fair.. youre talking about a 1998 expansion team that has consistently low attendance and one of the lowest payrolls in all of baseball but has been really successful despite that, vs. The 4th oldest franchise born in 1882 and has been around for 142-143 years with an above avg. Payroll

          4 Like
          Reply
        • Tim_Buck-Two

          1 month ago

          Wachas numbers in St Louis indicate that with how the Rays opperate a pitching staff I.E. not letting pitchers pitch past the 6th inning indicate this could work out good for both the RAYS and Wacha. Wacha was good 1st and 2nd time through a line up then would get lit up the 3rd time. The shoulder will do better with just pitching into the 4th or 5th inning with the Rays.

          Like
          Reply
        • brodie-bruce

          1 month ago

          wow man way to make us cards fans look bad please excuse him most of us are not that salty unless it towards mo.

          Like
          Reply
      • DarkSide830

        1 month ago

        Tampa does a lot right, but people here seem to think they can walk on water raise the dead.

        6 Like
        Reply
        • Marty McRae

          1 month ago

          Being that they relentlessly do “raise the dead”, it’s a fair call.

          9 Like
          Reply
        • radiohead801

          1 month ago

          I think you’re projecting your own issues.

          Like
          Reply
        • spooky

          1 month ago

          Not sure if they have the ability to walk on water but raise the dead, sometimes

          Like
          Reply
      • MetsFan22

        1 month ago

        Obviously YOU haven’t been paying attention. Wacha is straight garbage. Rays aren’t fixing him.

        3 Like
        Reply
        • Luc 2

          1 month ago

          If he gets an ERA under 4.50 this is a dub

          4 Like
          Reply
        • MetsFan22

          1 month ago

          I doubt he will

          1 Like
          Reply
        • RunDMCRunDMC

          1 month ago

          Wacha’s a stud in the playoffs, therefore Mets have no use for him. Keep balancing out the market so teams can afford players they wouldn’t before donning the blue pinstripes.

          Like
          Reply
        • MetsFan22

          1 month ago

          Lol this guy is going to be mad when the Braves are in 2nd place next year

          Like
          Reply
        • Luc 2

          1 month ago

          And u finna be disappointed when mets are trash

          Like
          Reply
        • Marty McRae

          1 month ago

          Angry Mets fan is big mad Wacha stunk for them for 34 innings and now says that miniscule sample scale is worthy enough to say he’s toast. You are only making yourself look bad.

          Wacha’s K/BB ratio last year was 37-7 in 34 innings. He WILL be elite this year, just watch.

          1 Like
          Reply
        • RunDMCRunDMC

          1 month ago

          And they could still be in the playoffs, which is fine by me. Wild Card seems to be a workable pathway to the championship, so if it’s without a division title — sure. Attainable goals are key to success, so start with NOT finishing in last place. I’m sure Steve can buy at least 4th place for ya. Merry Xmas, MF22!

          Like
          Reply
        • Eatdust666

          4 weeks ago

          Maybe that’s why he said if.

          Like
          Reply
    • yandymania

      1 month ago

      dont start crying in october next year

      Like
      Reply
    • steven scott

      1 month ago

      not so much almost all pitchers that leave aren’t all that great for other teams

      Like
      Reply
  7. cards81

    1 month ago

    Sorry Rays fan and the thought that the Rays are going to somehow turn around Wacha …I am willing to go out on a limb and say this is a bad signing…Wacha has not been good for some time now and he just serves up home runs.

    3 Like
    Reply
    • radiohead801

      1 month ago

      So you’re just gonna post and troll numerous times on the same post? Get a life.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • cards81

        1 month ago

        Ok…are you the bouncer for mlbtraderumors lol…you have also posted numerous times and trolling…I’ve started my Christmas vacation and burning some time…I have a great life thank you…now you can go ahead and get a life also…I’m stating facts sorry if that hurts you’re feelings and I offended you

        2 Like
        Reply
      • DarkSide830

        1 month ago

        the guy is a Cards fan amd Wacha played most of his career for the Cards. why isnt his take valid?

        2 Like
        Reply
        • Tim_Buck-Two

          1 month ago

          Wacha would do decent 1st and 2nd time through a line up… That’s how the Rays are going to deploy him… The Rays aren’t going to “fix Wacha” they are going to play to his strengths like they do with everything else regarding starting pitching. I could be wrong I’ve been wrong before, but I wouldn’t doubt that the Rays have noticed this about Wacha which is why they were willing to drop 3 million on him. They fit each others blue print for success.

          Like
          Reply
    • Big Hurt

      1 month ago

      Not sure if cards81 is trolling, but I have to say I agree to an extent (although I completely understand trusting the Rays right now). He had a strong start to his career, but other than 84 good innings in ’18, he hasn’t been really good since 2015. If he becomes anything other than long-relief/4.50 ERA 5th starter, this would be one of the biggest ‘Rays-isms’.

      Like
      Reply
    • 2020ball

      1 month ago

      That everyone here wants to cry foul on a FA signing for $3mil blows my mind. Sounds like a great deal to me.

      2 Like
      Reply
  8. DarkSide830

    1 month ago

    not a match i thought about

    2 Like
    Reply
  9. Get rid of the softball players

    1 month ago

    The Ray’s would have to make a trade before signing wacha to make room on the 40 man roster.
    Ideally for them would be getting rid of keirmaier’s contract unfortunately for them only the giants and astros are only teams to take on his contract..Ray’s would have to add a piece because krirmaier there is no market for krirmaier alone.
    Ray’s do have a big trade chip in snell.
    This is the time of the year where the Ray’s make a trade that no one saw coming.

    Like
    Reply
    • Steve Adams

      1 month ago

      I would imagine they’ll just designate someone for assignment — Ryan Sherriff and Aaron Slegers being two of the likelier names.

      They might eventually make a trade still — probably safe to assume they will — but I wouldn’t consider the Wacha signing a precursor to a Snell or Kiermaier trade.

      5 Like
      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        1 month ago

        Red Sox have already submitted claims on both.

        Like
        Reply
  10. Luc 2

    1 month ago

    Trade Idea: Rays trade top prospect for bag of chips hoping it becomes an mvp.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • beersy

      1 month ago

      Maybe not an MVP, but probably a serviceable platoon player.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • therealryan

        1 month ago

        Many baseball fans thought the Rays did just that last year when they traded top pitching prospect Libertore for Jose Martinez. However the real trade target was obviously Arozorena and the Rays now think they have a star in the making.

        Like
        Reply
    • radiohead801

      1 month ago

      Seeing this has never happened, I doubt it.

      Like
      Reply
    • Tim_Buck-Two

      1 month ago

      Randy is a dandy

      Yeah I’m pretty sure we just witnessed a curse being born… A Babe Ruth type curse maybe? I hate to say it. They were snakebitten made a trade for gold and all they got was pyrite

      Like
      Reply
  11. kbaker

    1 month ago

    Seems like a relatively low risk high reward option, even for the Rays. Doesn’t exactly replace Morton but he’s a guy that can give you some innings.

    Like
    Reply
  12. Kanucklehead

    1 month ago

    This is what the Tampa’s, Kansas City’s and a few other teams do because they have no other choice. The Rays do you seem to make these bargain deals work more often than not but Wacha? They should have just found a way to give Charlie his money

    Like
    Reply
  13. Get rid of the softball players

    1 month ago

    I could see the Ray’s signing archer instead of wacha.unfortunately for pirate fans it would be more salt in the wound.
    Someone will sign archer as a swing man or possibly as a closer.

    Like
    Reply
    • Sideline Redwine

      1 month ago

      Don’t count TB out on Arch…

      1 Like
      Reply
  14. phillesfan07

    1 month ago

    Someone the Phillies should have been in on now the Rays got him watch him have a 2.00 Era and go 23-5.

    Like
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      1 month ago

      no thanks. he’s toast.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • Tim_Buck-Two

        1 month ago

        That’s what they said about Lance Berkman in 2010 when he left New York, then he received MVP votes in 2011

        Like
        Reply
  15. bobtillman

    1 month ago

    Rather a “meh” signing, but it does have some upside. At worse, Wacha’s a decent stand-in until the Rays other back-of-the-rotation types get healthy.

    The real key for the Rays is Glassnow. Can he get over his delivery issues enough to move out of the “perpetual potential” category into being a solid #2. We know what Snell can be, when he wants to be, and while Yarborough/Flemming don’t have “stuff”, the results speak for themselves (“All Chris Carter does is score touchdowns”).

    That said, the Rays could still use another starter (ya, Archer would be cool). But the Yankees need at least three, the Blue Jays four, and the Red Sox five. So they maintain a rather huge edge in the division.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • Sideline Redwine

      1 month ago

      Good points. Glas needs to figure it out–he has ace stuff. Snell will be gone, have depth but no number two (if one calls Glas the number one); if the young pups come around, they’ll be fine.

      Imagine Arch coming back and killing it.

      Like
      Reply
  16. matt4baseball

    1 month ago

    For Wacha to excell, He will need to do the Bulk pitching within the Opener strategy. This will save his arm for a long successful season. That is considering they keep Blake Snell.

    Like
    Reply
  17. wallybackman

    1 month ago

    Here’s what was written when he signed with the Mets. A little more positively written this year, even though he had a terrible 2020.

    2020 to Mets, “It’s tough to say just how much upside Wacha offers at this stage. He was able to stay on the mound for most of 2019 but hasn’t been as effective as he was before shoulder and back issues began to crop up. Statcast numbers don’t offer much in the way of encouragement; if anything, they suggest his strong ’18 output (3.20 ERA in 84 1/3 innings) was based upon some good fortune (.249 BABIP-against, .286 wOBA vs. .350 xwOBA). ”

    2021 to Rays “sensible pickup” after a terrible year…
    mlbtraderumors.com/2019/12/mets-closing-in-on-deal…

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Sideline Redwine

      1 month ago

      Context: one team does well w such signings, one team does not; one team is cheap yet consistently successful…the other makes huge payouts and is not.

      1 Like
      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        1 month ago

        oh please. the Rays do not have a magic wand that makes players better, nor do players just fall to pieces upon joining the Mets.

        3 Like
        Reply
      • MetsFan22

        1 month ago

        Since when have the Mets made big pay outs???

        Like
        Reply
    • therealryan

      1 month ago

      There were changes that are positive. He had the second highest SwStk% and K% of his career. Couple that with his lowest BB% and he showed a huge improvement in K-BB% which was the best of his career and all of those numbers showed huge improvements from the previous season. He changed up his pitch usage and it’s very possible this is a legitimate change and not just small sample size noise. The Rays have a reputation for recognizing and identifying these type of players.

      Like
      Reply
  18. clrrogers

    1 month ago

    Nice little pick up by the Rays. If healthy, Wacha definitely has a chance to out-perform that $3 million.

    1 Like
    Reply
  19. Darth Nihilus

    1 month ago

    The Yankees and Red Sox say thank you.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • Sideline Redwine

      1 month ago

      Lol the Red Sox. Got their cheater manager back, still won’t be relevant.

      Like
      Reply
  20. CJML

    1 month ago

    This is low risk/high upside move. The Rays always seem to find value.

    Like
    Reply
  21. Sideline Redwine

    1 month ago

    Wow, did not see this coming–need SP, Wacha will eat innings, hope he can return at least close to old form.

    Like
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      1 month ago

      he cant eat innings when he’s on the IL

      4 Like
      Reply
  22. geg42

    1 month ago

    When he issues a base on balls I think of Fonzie Bear. Wacha walka.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Kanucklehead

      1 month ago

      Yikes….you know it’s been a drag of an offseasons when people are doing Muppet Babies marerial

      1 Like
      Reply
      • joedirte4life

        1 month ago

        You must have fat thumbs too

        Like
        Reply
  23. Tatsumaki

    1 month ago

    Anyone know why a majority of free agents haven’t signed yet? When will all the pieces fall?

    Like
    Reply
  24. Mrtwotone

    1 month ago

    Wacha flocka flame

    Like
    Reply
  25. DarkSide830

    1 month ago

    Fleming did quite well last year. if they only go with four starters then id move Wacha to the pen over sending Fleming down.

    Like
    Reply
  26. Yank4Life

    1 month ago

    The Rays are ridiculous. They decline Morton’s $15 million option for this season. Refuse to trade for Lance Lynn, who would of cost just $8 million this season. But then they sign Michael Wacha who will probably win 15 games this year. I don’t get it. They always find a way to win.

    1 Like
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    • Luc 2

      1 month ago

      Mad yankee fans lmao

      2 Like
      Reply
      • Marty McRae

        1 month ago

        Rays keep trimming salary AND replacing or even improving the roster, Yankees and Red Sox fans have to be constantly punching the air at everything the Rays do, it really is so funny lmaooo

        Like
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        • MoRivera 1999

          1 month ago

          From 2011 – 2020, the Red Sox or Yankees or both finished ahead of the Rays all but once. 2020. The Rays hardly “own” either the Red Sox or the Yankees, as you seem to suggest. Rays have one stellar season and suddenly some people think they’re perennial division leaders. They aren’t. Just once in the last decade. Keep it real.

          1 Like
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        • Luc 2

          1 month ago

          They arent always good because of money they get veterans and rookies developed then become good

          Like
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        • rocky7

          1 month ago

          The Rays positional record in the AL East starting with 2020 and descending backwards to 2010 is;
          1,2,3,3,5,4,4,2,3,2,1.
          The Yankees positional record in the same time frame; 2,1,2,2,4,2,2,3,1,1,2
          The Red Sox positional record in the same time frame; 5,3,1,1,1,5,5,1,5,3,3
          I don’t think either the Red Sox, or Yankees are “punching the air” given the recent success in 2020 and or 2019….funny? I don’t think so!
          Tampa does do a good job on owner limited budgets but that is by their choice

          1 Like
          Reply
  27. DarkSide830

    1 month ago

    also that’s birthday boy Brendan McKay to you Steve! happy 25th Brendan!

    Like
    Reply
  28. Larmando

    1 month ago

    Again , another guy that is always hurt and always gets guarantee contracts !

    Like
    Reply
    • larkraxm

      1 month ago

      This isn’t the NFL! Webster’s defines a contract as a pact that is unbreakable…unbreakable. How do you get a player to play for you without a contract in MLB? Most teams offer incentives based on performance but base salaries are guaranteed.

      Like
      Reply
  29. NYCPetrović

    1 month ago

    Great deal with low risk and high upside (If the RAYS can do their magic). But I think IMO Wacha is at the end of his road.

    Like
    Reply
  30. fljay73

    1 month ago

    Any FA is a risk.
    For the Rays Wacha is just expected to be a decent pitcher either as a #5 or log multiple innings every other game. The Rays would not have signed him if they didn’t see anything they liked about him or to make adjustments that might help him. If he delivers any of what I just mentioned this will be a very good signing.

    1 Like
    Reply
  31. Frank Diehl

    1 month ago

    Why do teams keep fawning over him and allowing him to be in their rotations? I can’t understand.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • CJML

      1 month ago

      He got 1 year 3 million dollars. I would hardly call that fawning over him. He logs 50 bullpens innings and he earned that contract. He is a career league average pitcher who had 2-3 well above average years.

      Like
      Reply
  32. Ducky Buckin Fent

    1 month ago

    / Pencils Wacha in for top 5 finish in 2021 AL Cy Young voting /

    3 Like
    Reply
  33. larkraxm

    1 month ago

    Darn those Rays! He will probably win the AL Cy Young award!

    Like
    Reply
  34. jallopy

    1 month ago

    He should paying the Rays to pitch. This guy pitched underhand last season

    Like
    Reply
  35. Geoff Bonn

    1 month ago

    Giants should’ve signed him instead of DeSclafani, in my opinion. Could’ve saved 3 million too

    1 Like
    Reply
  36. BobSacamano

    1 month ago

    I would, w/ good grace. trade Al Avila and any DET prospect for Erik Neander or Chris Antonetti.

    Like
    Reply
  37. pwndroia

    1 month ago

    This is a great move by the Rays. Just gotta hope it pays off.

    2 Like
    Reply
  38. bobsugar84

    1 month ago

    He’s only 29!!?!

    Like
    Reply
  39. dazedatnoon

    1 month ago

    at this price, excellent signing

    Like
    Reply
  40. Metsfan2006

    1 month ago

    Love this signing. I know I’m in the minority but I would’ve liked the Mets to resign him. His era was rough because he had terrible 2nd inning numbers and it was frustrating to watch because his stuff looked very sharp! If you look at his numbers outside of the 2nd inning they’re top tier starter numbers granted a small sample size. Quite frankly there’s absolutely no way his era of 18.00 in the second inning continues this year.

    Like
    Reply
  41. BlueJaysMania

    1 month ago

    Rays will have him bounce back for sure.

    Like
    Reply
  42. dragongrave

    1 month ago

    Rays with a typical shrewd signing. Good solid pitcher, good track record. He goes to an organization that has a penchant for making players better, and he makes the highest in pocket money because he will play in the lowest taxed state for athletes. Win/win for everyone on this deal.

    Like
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