December 18: The Royals have now officially announced the deal.
December 15: The Royals’ active offseason is continuing, as Kansas City has agreed to terms with free agent righty Michael Wacha, per a report from Robert Murray of FanSided. It’s a two-year, $32MM contract, ESPN’s Jeff Passan adds. The second season is a player option, so Wacha will have the opportunity to opt back into free agency next winter. The contract pays the CAA client an even $16MM in each season, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, and Anne Rogers of MLB.com tweets that Wacha can earn an additional $500K via incentives in each season of the deal.
It’s the second notable free-agent pickup of the day for the Royals, who also agreed to a two-year $13MM deal with Hunter Renfroe earlier this morning. Kansas City has also added righty Seth Lugo on a three-year, $45MM pact that contains an opt-out after the second season. Wacha and Lugo, who were teammates with the Padres in 2023, will join a Royals rotation that includes Cole Ragans, Brady Singer and Jordan Lyles. Depth options include Daniel Lynch, Kris Bubic (recovering from Tommy John surgery), Max Castillo, Alec Marsh and Jonathan Heasley, among others.
Wacha’s two-year, $32MM deal matches the exact terms of a two-year club option that the Padres declined earlier this offseason. The inclusion of an opt-out provision and some modest incentives makes this a stronger deal for the righty, however. Kansas City will be Wacha’s sixth team in six years, as his trips to free agency have routinely resulted in either a one-year pact (Mets, Rays, Red Sox) or a multi-year deal with options and/or opt-out opportunities (Padres).
Over the past two seasons, between the Red Sox and Padres, Wacha has posted a combined 3.27 ERA with a 21.3% strikeout rate, 6.9% walk rate and 37.7% ground-ball rate. Despite being more of a fly-ball pitcher, he’s allowed a manageable 1.14 homers per nine frames. Pitching his home games at the spacious Kauffman Stadium should help him continue to avoid the long ball at an acceptable rate despite his pronounced fly-ball tendencies.
In those two seasons, Wacha has changed up his pitch selection, reducing his reliance on a four-seamer while increasing the usage rates on his sinker and changeup. He threw both pitches at a career-high rate in 2022 and then set a new career-high in usage again in 2023. While the more frequent sinker usage hasn’t shown up in Wacha’s ground-ball rates, he’s posted improved batted-ball metrics; last year’s 88.1 mph average exit velocity and 35.4% hard-hit rate were both lower than the league averages of 89 mph and 39.2%, respectively. That’s helped Wacha to offset his slightly below-average strikeout rate.
The number of innings that the Royals can expect from Wacha is perhaps the biggest question mark surrounding him. Wacha has been placed on the injured list nine times in his big league career, with five of those IL placements stemming from shoulder troubles (including a six-week absence in the 2023 season). Wacha has also had IL stints for oblique, hamstring, knee and intercostal strains. While the shoulder is an obvious concern, Wacha did manage a solid 3.88 ERA in 48 2/3 innings after returning from this past season’s shoulder issue. He closed out the year with a pair of particularly impressive outings, tossing consecutive seven-inning gems (two total runs allowed on nine hits and two walks with 13 strikeouts).
With Wacha, Renfroe, Lugo, Will Smith, Chris Stratton and Garrett Hampson all signing major league deals in Kansas City this month, the Royals have committed $105MM in total free-agent dollars in a span of just over two weeks. It’s unlikely all of those dollars will end up being paid out, as each of Wacha, Renfroe, Stratton and Lugo received player options/opt-outs within their respective contracts. Still, it’s a hefty slate of investments by Kansas City’s standards — one that’s added an additional $47MM in payroll to the team’s 2024 roster (a net $45.75MM, when factoring in that Taylor Clarke and his $1.25MM salary were traded to the Brewers to make roster space for Lugo).
The relatively heavy investment in free-agent arms represents something of an acknowledgement from the Kansas City front office that its previous efforts to rebuild a homegrown rotation with a heavy focus on college arms in the draft simply hasn’t panned out. Singer, Lynch, Bubic, Marsh, Jackson Kowar and Asa Lacy were at one point focal components of the Royals’ hopes for the future, but only Singer remains locked into the rotation but is in need of a bounceback campaign after he was unable to carry his 2022 breakout into the 2023 season. Kowar was traded to the Braves for injured starter Kyle Wright (who’ll miss all of 2024). Lacy has yet to reach the Majors. Lynch and Marsh haven’t established themselves. Bubic showed some promise before tearing his left ulnar collateral ligament and undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Kansas City’s new-look rotation should represent a massive improvement over last year’s group, which pitched to a combined 5.12 ERA, ranking 27th in the big leagues. Gone from that mix are Brad Keller, Ryan Yarbrough and (at least for now) Zack Greinke. Other key names in 2023, Lynch most prominently, have been pushed down the depth chart. It’s not yet clear what lies ahead for the Royals and Greinke. The future Hall of Famer spent the past two seasons back with his original organization and at least ostensibly seemed poised to close out his career there. It’s possible the two parties still come to terms on another one-year pact, as Greinke is preparing to pitch in 2024, but that would likely push Lyles to the bullpen (or perhaps prompt the Royals to explore a potential trade of the veteran innings eater).
iml12
Royals are not messing around this off-season
deweybelongsinthehall
They’re accumulating players to potentially flip at the deadline. Especially Wacha and Renfro if they have strong years.
Sid Bream Speed Demon
If that were the case with Wacha, they wouldn’t have given him a player option for the 2nd season. If he is having a good season why would a team give up anything decent for a rental?
Seamaholic
Pitching rentals are always valuable at the deadline if they’re having a good year. But actually, I think the Royals are trying to be a good team this year. The division is gd-awful, especially with Minny’s financial problems. Everything goes right they could be playing games that count in August if not September.
YourDreamGM
Teams give up much better than decent for rentals.
brewpackbuckbadg
So sad when the goal is to play meaningful games in August. ugh
But I get and agree with what you are saying.
Grantastic
It incentivizes sticking around if he and the team are doing well. In 2025, drop Jordan Lyles and replace him with Kyle Wright, and the Royals rotation looks cromulent. Sprinkle in errbody showing up in the best shapes of their lives, and also reaching their ceilings, and also staying healthy, and the listless AL Central could be up for grabs again with a 90 win season.
Sid Bream Speed Demon
Please enlighten me with all of these occurrences of a rental like Wacha having good trade packages given then.
Sid Bream Speed Demon
Not really, but OK.
YourDreamGM
Just look up any rental trade and read what I said about it. More times than not I would guess the selling team got a decent or better return. I follow Pittsburgh most closely so here are their examples.
Hill Choi for a elite potential outfielder low level lotto ticket but a more expensive lotto ticket and a strong bet lefty reliever that still has some starters chance. Mlbs 10th and 29th or 30 prospects in a deep system. Personally I have both in the mid late teens. One is more likely a reliever so 10 is too strong. The other too much upside to not be top 20.
Quintana for a top 30 prospect and I believe many had him top 20 even pushing top 10 and a mlb ready reliever with strong starter potential. Stratton was involved as well wasn’t a rental but he was more of if we are giving up a contributing reliever we need a replacement.
Watson for the highest value of lottery tickets Cruz a top 10 prospect in strong Dodgers system.
Severino for Santana was at least decent. I like it more than decent.
Williams for Stephenson was better than decent. Pirates didn’t need him nor could they get from him what Tampa did.
Joeydonuts
Your old teammate Zane Smith for moise alou
Bostonsports85
Just ask the Yankees lmfaoooo Soto isn’t resigning with them
stymeedone
I’m guessing because they need pitching for the stretch.
deweybelongsinthehall
cromulent?
Kc smoke
Hopefully he isn’t a rental but getting Ragans from Texas for the Chapman rental was a great trade so far at least.
C Yards Jeff
“Cromulent”. Agree, an acceptable description of state of the Royals rotation.
YourDreamGM
Where’s Sid?
Big whiffa
They play in the AL central. Keep it real. They are contenders now
Poolhalljunkies
They wont be able to flip lugos contract..theres a reason they won the bidding with that deal
southi
@poolhalljunkies (fast eddiewannabe):
I actually think there is a very good chance that Lugo performs similarly, or even better than 2023. If THAT is the case there will probably be multiple suitors come knocking and checking on the trade value of Lugo.
stymeedone
Its also possible, that after years of pitching out of the pen, starting will tax his arm and he will get injured.
cuffs2
You obviously don’t realize how bad the AL Central is.if they are .500 or close to it at the deadline they will be in the hunt. This set of Acquisitions just about guarantees that.
larkraxm
I totally agree. The Central is wide open. I think the Royals could win that division and get into the tournament. Once you’re in, you could go on an Arizona Diamondbacks style run and who knows. I think that the “they are signing people to trade later” narrative is incorrect. The Royals are in it to win it. I know that flies in the face of the “We can’t afford to upgrade our roster” narrative, but that is what they are doing.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
They’re trying to compete in a weak division that is winnable. And if that fails, then flip guys. Smart moves.
Yankeehater79
Read again its another 2 year deal with option after 2…
Mickey Solis
Normally I’d say yeah that’s true but they’ve signed so many guys they may actually be trying to compete in that terrible division.
OIC2021
Guardians were 1st runner up again , narrowly missing out on Wacha
cuffs2
The Guardians don’t npeed Wacha. As usual they have more quality starters than they can possibly find spots for.
westcasey
I don’t think that is true. Not even close, actually. Nice young Trio introduced last season but lots of IF after that. and the sophomore slump…?
cuffs2
Sophomore slump is usually mo6re like Sophomore Tommy John surgery. Remember the Guardians will be getting a few arms back from injuries in 2024 . The Guardians need is offense.
PutPeteinthehall
Where did you see that? Guards have signed exactly one free agent starter in 10 years. A one year deal signed this week for just about minimum salary. No way they were in on Wacha.
Tigers3232
Josh Bell signing last year as a free agent doesn’t count? Mike Zunino?? Daniel Norris?? Michael Kelly?? These just to name a few free agents signings from last year alone.
Yes nothing outrageously splashy, but where their Franchise sits they should not be making those type of moves. After their amazing 2022 season they added a bit of talent to supplement the young roster, exactly how they should of approached it.
It appears the biggest mistake was trading Nolan Jones tho. But maybe one day in hindsight Brito will prove that wrong. As it looks tho Jones has got a very nice skill set. Just needs to work on his plate discipline a bit. His SO’s/BB’s is kind of cringe worthy.
baseballpun
Somewhere the Royals’ niece is being christened while all the team’s business is being handled.
SgtGrumbles
This would be even funnier if they were the team moving to Vegas.
KCMOWHOA
The Vegas Moe Greens
PhanaticDuck26
Love the aggressiveness of the Royals! WOW, did NOT expect this.
DBH1969
Did we all just wake up in an alternate universe?
Rick Pernell
……and The Rockies BIG move for 2024 was to non-tender RHP Tommy Doyle!
99CaptainJudge99
They certainly aren’t. That’s a lot of cabbage!!!
This one belongs to the Reds
Another one bites the dust.
Po Boy must have permanent hand marks on his posterior by now.
Congrats Royals fans. You have a management team putting their resources to work.
earmbrister
OR the Reds FO didn’t like the fact that he was a flyball pitcher. Yes, he has a good HR rate, but maybe those flyballs would be homers in GABP. The front office surely did their homework on him they wanted him, they probably would’ve landed him (assuming that Wacha was comfortable pitching in that ballpark.
1984wasntamanual
Yeah, it’s quite possible, based on the opt out, that Wacha wouldn’t want to pitch in GABP.
octavian8
Wacha was on my list as a good fit for Cincy. Hope there is another, time is running out
Stingray16
I still hope the Reds can get Cease somehow.
HBan22
If the Reds are still going to end up getting the TOR arm they need, it’s pretty much down to Cease and Jesus Luzardo. Personally, I prefer Luzardo. It’d cost a haul, but the Reds have the pieces to get it done. Something like Edwin Arroyo, Cam Collier, Rece Hinds, Brandon Williamson and Lyon Richardson MIGHT get it done.
PutPeteinthehall
He’s not a good fit in that launching pad…..
10centBeerNight
Good to see KC makin moves
C Yards Jeff
Agreed. Like what KC is doing. Fun stuff.
Interesting and yet confusing. POBO went huge with coaching staff changes pre 2023. From outside looking in, it looks like a group of coaches with backgrounds hired to develop a younger player core … starting with Quartaro (sp?) that systems guy from Tampa Bay. Again, outside looking in. But that said; did Owner and POBO have a change in philosophy here very recently? With seasoned vets now in the loop, does it demand seasoned coaching?
soxshortstop
Great job Chaim Breslow or Chaim the Second!
deweybelongsinthehall
SS, wait until the end to gauge the off-season. Remember how DD waited in 18 for JDM? Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Here, their lack of activity in major moves suggests to me they believe they still have a chance on Yamamoto.
soxshortstop
Call me a pessimist (4 years of Chaim can and will do that!), but I think they have very little chance to sign Yama. with the big and even bigger markets all in play (SFG, NYM, LAD, NYY). But never say never! Putting all you eggs in one basket as you know the cliché is not the best way to go either when you have quite a few needs. Pretty impressive so far for the Royals – Seth, Wacha, and Renfroe.
fenwayfrank
Henry needs to step back or sell this team, he has killed any good will he reaped from the 4 championships.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
I agree that the past few deals (or not deals) have been very much Bloom-like, but let’s give Breslow the benefit of doubt. The off-season has just barely started. I, too, am waiting for a big move but we can’t fully jump to conclusions until 2024 is underway.
Breslow did say he would rely more on trades than free agent signings.
fenwayfrank
I like Breslow, I just hope they let him do his job and not hand-cuff him.
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
Hard to know at this point…
Hired Gun 23
Well that’s a fine howdy do…
Gwynning
The Kan Diego Royal Dads are my new favorite team!
James Midway
Blake Snell next
rotofool
Hoping Snell to SEA so that allows them to trade another pitcher for a good young hitter.
Rocker49
Royals and Los Karens making all the moves. Everyone else just sticking with their same teams for 2024???
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
Patience young grasshopper!
flyingblindsquirrel
Half the league is waiting to see if their plan A, Yamamoto, pans out. Once he decides, all the teams pivoting to plan B will jumpstart the market.
HalosHeavenJJ
Wow. Didn’t expect this after the Lugo and bullpen signings.
Good for KC.
baked mcbride
Heck yeah! Royals making moves in the central! I hope it works out for ‘em. Maybe my #3 American League team. It hurt when they bounced my O’s but that’s the way it goes. Go get it, KC!
Clofreesz
Royals are very aggressive. I like it. 2025 or bust.
Grantastic
This. All these moves this offseason are really setting up 2025 for KC.
Travis’ Wood
So a bunch of guys who can opt out after this season is setting up 2025? Huh?
MLB-1971
Renfroe – 2 year – $13 mil
Wacha – 2 year – $32 mil
Neither are opting out if you know their salary history!!!!!!!!!!
1984wasntamanual
If Wacha puts up another 2+fwar year, he’ll defintely opt out or require an extension.
MLB-1971
Big IF…. We will need to see it first.
aroid95
Good for KC. They saw an opening in the central and are going for it. D-backs just showed us.. get in and anything can happen.
Susannah
Yes. MLB playoffs are quite random and luck. It was proven again thus year. 2 teams that barely got into the playoffs went on to the WS. Building a team to get into playoff is all that is needed. After that, anything happens.
CaseyAbell
KC is picking up bargains here and there in the lower-cost aisles of the free agent store. It’s hard to see the Royals even getting to .500 next year because they started with such an awful roster. But at least they’re trying. And their division is so crummy that they might somehow luck into contention.
Nah, they’ll win maybe 75 games tops. But even that would be a nice improvement.
king jeremy the wicked
Let’s be honest…would anyone be surprised if the winner of the AL Central only won 78 games? It’s got to be the worst looking division in the wild card era.
iml12
I could easily see it happening with the more balanced schedule.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
Royals To Sign Michael Wacha
Spending Money like Drunken sailors!!!
Gwynning
We joke and we kid, but Wacha would have been a huge help to your O’s or my Pads…
Brew88
We do those things yep, both, but somewhere out there in the weeds we will all find our own personal Wacha/Lugo El Guapo
Gwynning
Would you say we need a plethora of pitching?!
cuffs2
The Padres last year were far better than their record. All the Metrics say they should have wo 90 or so games. They should have kept their talent and gone for it this year.
Brew88
Oh yeah, we need a plethora. That is, if we are to slay the slime eating dodgers, the scum sucking peegs, the sons of motherless goats
Longtimecoming
I’m starting to wonder if the 24 Padres aren’t going to run like the 23 Dodgers – don’t spend anymore than you have to in FA, cobble a rotation together out of a bunch of young arms and reset and roll the dice big next year. So many 2025 prospects / current long term contracts could just set this up for some 1 year “get by” deals with whatever is leftover come ST. Bring up Lesko and a few others as needed when needed.
There are worse plans.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
Well, the Padres have to figure out their team and why it is ike a .500 team when it should be better
Anyway, maybe someone of the two will sign Yoshi!
Butter Biscuits
Keep it going KC I like this push by the team
Bnickles127
Making the Mariners ownership look like an absolute cheap piece of garbage joke I love it
Big whiffa
I hear that ! I was digging what Sea was doing in lu of last offseason + what they were saying after these moves. Now not trading pitching and have all these holes yet aren’t signing anybody. Stock down
Saint Nick
In hearing the braves were a close 6th topping out at 1 year/$4M.
Bnickles127
I’m assuming royals aren’t dealing with the RSN fallout?
CaseyAbell
They should get their Bally money in 2024. After that who knows? Bally says they’re out of the RSN business for everybody after 2024.
30 Parks
Good decisions out of KC. That AL Central is largely up-for-grabs.
ohyeadam
This is Twins Territory!!
PutPeteinthehall
Kinda doubt it. Its anyone’s division in 24. 84 wins takes it.
Sad as it is probably only my White Sox are out. KC, Detroit, Cleveland, and Minnesota are all in the race in 24.
givemdaeephus
Love what KC is doing this offseason
Tom the ray fan
Royals spending big all in an attempt to Crack 70 wins!
ronnsnow
Royals out here trying harder than the Pirates when they were supposed to “pursue starting pitching aggressively”. what a joke.
TAKERDBACKS
Love to see it. Good organization and fun fans.
TLB2001
The AL Central is a grab bag. Still a lot of question marks but it’s not at all inconceivable to see the Royals be legit contenders in that division. I don’t think they’re done either as the way things sit right now there’s a lot of reclamation project trade chips on the roster that don’t have a role with us but package 2 or 3 of them together could get some intriguing return with the ability to make an impact in 2024. Melendez, Pratto, Massey, Keller, Lyles.
It’s clear to me that Sherman has figured out how he can get the fan base to agree to pay for his stadium. Already blown past the reported $30m budget for this offseason.
All probably overpays, but as long as it isn’t an impediment to future decisions, I have no problems wasting John Sherman’s money to entice players who clearly make us better immediately without compromising the future.
Big whiffa
They got a lot of players that just need to tap into potential or regain form. Singer and lynch have both shown they can be mid rotation piece at times. I’m excited for em
Grantastic
Nail on the head. Optics mean everything right now in terms of getting that new stadium. Sherm at least put his money where his mouth was, after this “evaluation year” of disappointment.
acoss13
Good job Kansas City Royals, these are all great moves, Royals fans are at least getting a respectable product on the field, I think that’s all we fans ask for.
Unclemike1526
Looks like Piccolo lied about how much cash he had. Good for the Royals. At least they’re not trying to be the A’s. Good job
Wagner>Cobb
1. Ragans
2. Lugo
3. Wacha
4. Singer
5. Lyles
Kyle Wright incoming in 2025…this ain’t bad, especially in that division.
mlbnyyfan
Look out MLB KC is acting like the dodgers & yankees
OIC2021
Can’t compete with the Guardians
PutPeteinthehall
Guards don’t have the bats. Will try to win with pitching and defense. Usually not good for more than a .500 team. Right now appear to be a runner up.
just_thinkin
Wow, go ahead KC.
MacGromit
thought for sure Wacha was going to Boston. KC doing what others are just talking about… getting serious about improving their team. good for them, don’t waste Witt’s control years piddling around.
heiniemanush
Good, smart deals in a very winnable division.
Mike Adamson
Just watching the Royals front office do what the Pirates front office tells their fans that they’re going to do!
Grantastic
Lolz! Sorry, but lolz.
mizzourah87
Brady Singer trade incoming? They’re gonna have a battle for the last 2 SP spots between Singer, Lynch, Bubic, and Lyles.
thecrocusesareinbloom
Trading Singer while his value’s so low would be a mistake for an emerging team, I think.
mizzourah87
All 4 of those pitchers I listed have low value right now, just so happens his is the highest out of the 4 and he’s the most expensive which is why I picked him. But I’m just speculating.
1984wasntamanual
Nah, I think we’ve all seen by now that you can’t have enough pitching. Any “surplus” tends to work itself out.
whacamoley
I believe the deals came after this, but I find it a funny coincidence that Alex Avila sat on Hot Stove this morning talking about Hunter Renfroe and Michael Wacha as underrated free agents, and how he would sign both of them. Presumably an hour or so later, poof…
Props to the Royals though. Busy offseason…
thecrocusesareinbloom
I’m not completely sold on the Royals offense yet, but you’ve got to give them credit for making a clear step toward emergence with all these signings (each of which strikes me as smart). As it stands right now I’d say this roster has the potential to perform at roughly the level of those in Cleveland and Detroit.
YourDreamGM
F for KC
A for Wacha
soxshortstop
huh? 25-6 with a 3.3 ERA over the last two years entering age 32. Only 2 year commitment . lol
YourDreamGM
I imagine the Royals are hoping praying that it isn’t a 2 year commitment. lol
25-6 lol
Era lol
If he leaves for free agency in 2025 it will be a A plus plus to the moon grade for the Royals.
stymeedone
Why do you think he was only able to get a two year commitment at $16MM per. Could it perhaps be that no team was willing to top that? I’m guessing adding the second year as a player option, rather than a mutual, was the deciding factor.
soxshortstop
You need to look age, past injuries, where do they want to play, how greedy do you want to be, how much longer do they want to play, etc. .a lot of variables….His current WAR and WHIP are pretty good. It’s a good signing.. not an “F” IMO
rotofool
Adding Wacha, Lugo, Nick Anderson and Will Smith to their staff gives KC a decent chance in the AL Central. It’s amazing how few of their young prospects have performed well in the majors, but Witt is clearly going to be fantastic & Loftin seems like another decent piece.
Could KC go from worst to first in 2024?
deGrom/Langford Texas Ranger
Waca waca
windmill_noise_causes_cancer
wAcA WaCa
Wiseoldfool
JJ emulating Coach Prime.
vaderzim
This is the 2nd journeyman that they’ve signed to a 2 year contract today. Wacha is the Hunter Renfroe of pitchers, and Renfroe is the Michael Wacha of outfielders, and both have the opportunity to spend more than 1 year with a team since the 2019 season.
Kc smoke
Christmas is coming early this year in KC!
Rsox
I think its safe to put the Royals as serious “dark horse” candidates
Slider_withcheese
They need offense but that division is just awful so who knows
Rsox
Witt, Salvy, Renfroe, Velasquez, Melendez hit better down the stretch and they still haven’t gotten a full season from Pasquantino yet. This offense isn’t any worse than any of the other teams in the division
steelerbravenation
All these signings are then trying to tell Bobby Witt Jr that they are really putting an effort in to get him to sign an extension
Slider_withcheese
The royals just dropped 45 million dollars today. If KC can do it, no reason the rest of the smaller markets can’t. They all claim they don’t have the payroll capabilities but that’s a complete lie.
stymeedone
@slider
Look at where their payroll was to start, and then watch how little they spend going forward.
NESbaseballWASbetter
We really should appreciate when a team at least makes and effort to become a better team and not getting worst and wait for better spot on draft day.
It’s a shame Team we deep pockets and Network Ownership don’t care and enjoy their sucker team! Yes I’m a RS fan and I can’t even Stand Henry that’s the real problem, anyway so glad for KC & The Padre Band
mad1
Give KC credit for trying something unlike the brewers doing nothing
Deleted Userr
Padres should have exercised their option and then traded him to the Royals. Yes, that is allowed.
AL B DAMNED
Are the Royals trying to assemble a winning team, or just signing players to trade for prospects at the trade deadline?
Grantastic
This Royals offseason, is the type of offseason to drop $100 in Vegas to win it all, just because. The Central is winnable and the post season is a crap shoot. Roll the bones!
FatChance65
Someone go wake up Craig Breslow and tell him it’s the off-season and there’s work to do.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
I don’t think it gets them into the expanded playoffs but I really like the Royal’s moves this offseason.
BaseballisLife
Locking up the market on former Padres? Didn’t work out so well for the Padres. Is that a good idea?
PadresWSChamps2024
Wacha and Lugo were aight last season so unless you think their vibes were off or something like that this should help KC.
Deez Cardinals
I would have Taken Wacha back over Lynn or Gibson!!! Smh Mo get with it!!
I.M. Insane
Royals will have a better record than Boston in ’24. Mark it.
MWMet
Solid moves. I dig it.
kcmark
At least now when I see a headline about the Royals it’s not Prince Harry and Meaghan Markel.
fenwayfrank
Renfroe quickly became one of my favorite players when in a Redsox uniform. I was flabbergasted when they flipped him for Jackie “I Cant Hit” Bradley the next off-season.
As for Wacha, he pitched great for us, nice addition.
I love what the Royals are doing.
Tdat1979
Two weeks ago the Cardinals were gobbling up all the pitchers, this week it’s the Royals. Half of this year’s free agents are going to end up in Missouri
rotofool
One of the truly entertaining WS series ever, the I70 Showdown in 85! Reboot?
martras
The Royals are pushing hard for that stadium. It’s easy to see the AL Central is still weak, and with these starters added to the roster and the bullpen being shored up a bit after Chapman’s departure, KC looks much better than they did just a couple weeks ago.
With a ton of young position players, they could get a breakout or two and really turn things around. I don’t know as it’s enough to win the division after a 100 loss season, but it should show some signs of life.
Steve12345
All this spending makes me think the Royals are planning on getting Salvy’s remaining $44 mil off the books. If they trade him, I just hope they get somebody who can pitch well in the big leagues immediately. I think it’s a good idea to trade him and I am ready to watch Fermin play. I guess Salvy could veto a trade but he might want to go to a big market contender and just wouldn’t say it publicly.
rotofool
Disagree, Salvie definitely sticking in KC. Royals spending money now to get public buyin for a new stadium. KC has a chance to win the division. It’s the year to do it…MIN lost its rotation, SOX will be stripped threadbare, CLE middling and DET a year or two away from prospects settling into star roles.
Steve12345
They did not have a chance of winning the division this year before spending money recently. They may have gotten Salvy to buy in already. Like, “give us a list of teams you will accept so we can trade you for pitching and use the money for more pitching or stay here and lose 100 games a year for two more years”. But you said you “definitely” know he is staying so I guess you work in the Royals’ front office or you are Salvy himself.
jvent
WOW, the Royals are spending money lol, good going KC
WillieS
Another horrible overpay. Mediocre pitchers getting top notch contracts.
Moneyballer
What the hell happened to Asa Lacy?
cuffs2
Asa Lacy can’t seem to get minor league hitters out.
Hebner3B
The Royals are making the deals I wish the Pirates were making.
panj341
Pirates are waiting for everyone to sign so they go in and low ball whoever is left. Nutting never changes. Nice to see a small market team take some chances to give their fans some hope.
edwardk64
It’s incredible, isn’t it?
I can only think they know they have 3 starters coming back from TJ surgery mid-season and a wealth of young guns like Skenes on the farm that aren’t far away
Looks like adding a couple bottom tier guys to go with two “ reliever” games every 5 days is going to be the strategy for the first few months
Sheesh
Ma4170
Like others, love the Royals trying to strengthen the team and hope for a playoff birth.
The619MetroPadres
As a Friar Fan, this one hurts…..
hoof hearted
With the signing of those 2 starting pitchers, the Royals starting rotation is 50% better than last year.
eddiemurraysafro
“I don’t dance anymore I make money moves.”
-Royals front office
edwardk64
Yet another guy the Pirates, who currently have 1 starting pitcher, should have gone after. Amazing. The Royals should write a how-to journal for our front office
driftwood bat
I’m a Tigers fan and there are a lot of people saying the Tigers could take the central, but in reality, the Royals aren’t that far behind Detroit in terms of talent, and with the addition of pitching the Royals have added in the past week, I really think the Royals believe they can take the central too, considering the Twins are shedding salary, the Gaurdians havent done much and the White Sox.
Billy Idol
Tigers are not winning the Central. Go back to dreaming.
stymeedone
The Tigers have added Maeda, Flaherty, and Mize (back from injury) to last years rotation depth to go with Skubal, Manning, and Olsen. They brought back Chafin for the bullpen. Added Canha to the OF, and have Colt Keith arriving to play on the IF. Seems like KC is just trying to keep up with what the Tigers have already done, just over a longer stretch of the off season.
driftwood bat
We’ll see dick head.
cuffs2
Either the Royals or the Tigers will win the Central division.
CrikesAlready
Is the Royals GM a former AJ Preller associate?
Three ex-Padres signed in 24 hours… Humm. Actually, that will bode them well. Many Padres have left the team to go on to bigger and better things, including coaching staff…
Hahaha.
BigGarg
Nice to see the Royals trying to do something. A .500 record could win that division.
Tko87
Royals signing a few short term veterans I’d hope would’ve been the Redsox 2nd or 3rd moves. No crazy overpays except maybe the 3rd year for Lugo.
orange2001
The Royals have been busier this week than they had been in the last 10 offseasons combined.
cuffs2
Actually they were very busy in the the middle of the last decade. Then after winning the World Series the old owner quit trying.
Jim M
You go, Royals!!!
The Ghost of Bobby Bonilla
KC in danger of knocking Cleveland or White Sox into the cellar
stymeedone
White Sox put themselves in the cellar.
RandorBierd
Mike Matheny single handedly derailed his career.
Yankeehater79
Kc owner just trying to sweeten fans so he can get his new stadium built…
westcasey
Kudos to KC for making decision to get who they want within their financial capacity. Trying to get the best for what they can spend.
Comments that disparage effort are truly pathetic. Some people complain if a team does, AND also if the team doesn’t.
KC won World Series inside of last 10 seasons. there are 20 or so MLB teams that have not.
Brew88
This place is a veritable box of whining fruit loops, but that’s sort of the appeal too. Some cultures practice primal screaming as a means to cope, we have mlbtr instead. But a complimentary post like yours is appreciated yin to the yangers
Brick House Coffee Tables Inc
For where they are organizationally, I like what they have done these last two weeks. Fill obvious holes by giving guys who are established #4 starters (Wacha and Lugo) and 6/7 hitters (Renfroe) a chance to get four months of solid playing time and if they do well, they get flipped to a contender. They aren’t holding up any of their prospects, they are adding veterans to a young clubhouse, and they should add a couple of good minor league pieces at the trade deadline.
JackStrawb
“…he’s allowed a manageable 1.14 homers per nine frames.”
—–Sigh. 1.1 HR/9 is what many elite pitchers surrender. It’s Scherzer’s figure, 2011-2023. Or Verlander’s, 2016-2023 while he was pitching to a 155 ERA+.
1.1 HR/9 is very, very good for a starter.
A baseball writer should know that.
—————————————-
“”#4 starters (Wacha and Lugo) ”
—–Above average starters aren’t #4’s.. #4’s by definition aren’t above average. Lugo just threw 146 innings of 115 ERA+ ball. If he’s your #4 and 3, 2, and 1 go up by recognizable steps, your #2 is a borderline HOFer at least by rate or ERA+, if not durability.
NoPlanB
The Royals are making the moves the Angels should be making.
The Former Player
Did Michael agree to the deal only if he is given veto power over future team personnel moves like the aging shady ohtani demanded and was given by the Dodgers? The ohtani contract will be the worst contract of all time and the fans will turn on him within 4 years. Will average around 3 war, that’s it.
Salvi
I love these contracts:
‘If I suck, you pay me $32 Million, If Im good, you pay me
$16 Million, and I get even more from someone else next year.’
Living in America!
baseballteam
You go Royals!
JeffMann
If Wacha chooses to opt out in the second year then JJ can simply use the 16M to sign a similar pitcher to a similar contract next year
baseballteam
Is Craig Breslow still alive?