Michael Wacha is reportedly looking for a two-year deal
Red Sox free agent pitcher Michael Wacha still remains unsigned as Spring Training approaches. The veteran right-hander is reportedly looking for a two-year deal, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports that Wacha is looking for a deal in the $30 million range.
Wacha is coming off an impressive season with the Red Sox going 11-2 with a 3.32 ERA, striking out 104 batters, 1.115 WHIP, making 23 starts over 127 1/3 innings pitched.
"Michael Wacha and Zack Greinke are the top two starting pitchers still free, Heyman said. Wacha is seeking a two-year deal. Greinke has been negotiating with his old Royals team all winter."
The 31-year-old had looked the part of an ace at times this season. However, he did spend time on the injured list twice resulting in only making 23 starts. His time on the injured list is likely in part why the Red Sox are declining the option of giving the Iowa native the qualifying offer.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com spoke two weeks ago about Wacha and two potential landing spots, one in Baltimore and the other in Minnesota.
“He is coming off a good year,” Feinsand said, per MLB Network video. “I think there are some teams out there. The (Minnesota) Twins are a team. We just saw them spend a lot of money on Carlos Correa. They’re clearly looking to get back to the postseason. They could use some help in the rotation. The (Baltimore) Orioles are another team. … 83 wins last year, they talked about having some money to spend. … I think a guy like Wacha would be good to help stabilize that rotation.”
With Corey Kluber in the fold, it seems unlikely chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom will bring back Wacha. Boston has said to have shown interest earlier in the offseason to bring him back. His injury history will be a concern for any team potentially giving the right-handed hurler a two-year pact. Wacha wants stability for the next couple of seasons, he may have to settle on a one-year deal with an option.
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