Royals bring back Michal Wacha with $51 million deal

The Royals came to terms with pitcher Michael Wacha on Sunday. 

The new deal comes in at $51 million for three years with $4 million in reachable bonuses, The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed. 

The 33-year-old righty had a $16 million option that he declined and the new extension can max out at $72 million. 

Wacha is coming off a season where he had posted a 3.35 ERA across 29 starts and 166 ⅔  innings. 

He also posted 145 strikeouts and 45 walks and pitched in Game 1 and Game 4 of the ALDS against the Yankees, who eliminated the Royals in the postseason. 

It had been expected that Wacha would opt out of the second year of the two-year, $32 million contract, but his preferred outcome had always been to stay in Kansas City after arriving in 2023 and helping to lift the team to 86 wins this past season. 

“I can’t say enough good things about him as a teammate. I really can’t,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro told reporters during the ALDS, according to ESPN.”He is the most dialed-in pitcher I have ever seen when he’s not pitching. He’s into every pitch. He’s high-fiving guys for keeping the double play in order, for breaking up a double play, for throwing to the right base. He’s into every at-bat when his teammates are up there. He’s looking for things with the other team when he’s on the bench.

“He is the consummate professional.”

Wacha has had a bit of a nomadic existence throughout his MLB career, appearing for six different teams over six seasons. 

The new contract will pay Wacha $18 million in 2025, $18 million in 2026 and $14 million in 2027, ESPN reported. 

There is also reportedly a $14 million club option that includes $4 million in incentives and a $1 million buyout.