Padres Free Agent Michael Wacha Signs With Kansas City Royals, Joining Seth Lugo

Another Padres pitcher is off the market.

Former San Diego Padres starting pitcher Michael Wacha has agreed to sign with the Kansas City Royals. The deal is 2-year,$32 million, but does have an opt-out after the first season.

MLB Insider Jeff Passan reported the news.

Right-handed starter Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals are in agreement on a two-year, $32 million contract, a source tells ESPN. He gets an opt-out after the first season.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 15, 2023

Wacha was always expected to leave the Padres this offseason and now lands in Kansas City. This is the second San Diego pitcher to sign with the Royals this offseason, as Seth Lugo joined Kansas City a few days ago.

Wacha was very solid for the Padres this past season, posting an ERA of 3.22 over 24 starts. He also posted a WHIP of 1.16 and struck out 124 batters over 134.1 innings of work.

He gave the Padres a chance to win every time he took the mound, which is all a team can ask for. Wacha will provide a nice veteran presence for the Royals staff, alongside Lugo.

San Diego declined the option of Wacha at the end of the season, leading to the belief that he wouldn't be back. The team has been looking to shed salary this offseason and has been cutting ties with players all winter.

They also lost Lugo, as previously mentioned, and starter Nick Martinez to the Cincinnati Reds. With Wacha now signed elsewhere, the team will need to find a way to replace the production.

The front office has some work to do the rest of the winter, but don't sleep on president of baseball operations A.J. Preller. He always has a trick up his sleeve.

We wish Wacha nothing but good luck in Kansas City this coming season!