Michael Wacha worth an extension or the qualifying offer this winter?
Michael Wacha worth an extension or the qualifying offer this winter?
Wacha: ‘I feel like the changeup was as nastiest as it’s been in my whole career.’
When the Red Sox signed Michael Wacha to a one-year, $7 million deal this offseason it was met with resistance from the fan base.
Shocker I know, but Wacha was able to silence his critics with his performance on the mound this season.
The 31-year-old righty spent last season with the AL East rival Tampa Bay Rays. Wacha posted a 3-5 with a 5.05 ERA, 1.31 WHIP in 29 outings in 2021.
Despite his 5+ ERA, there was one thing the Red Sox loved about him last year, his changeup. Opponents were held to a .207 batting average when he threw his best pitch.
“I feel like the changeup was as nastiest as it’s been in my whole career,” Wacha said last offseason after he signed with the Red Sox. “So I feel like a new man out there. I felt really good this past year so looking forward to keep moving forward with it.”
Wacha’s focus this season was to earn a spot in the Red Sox rotation. In the process, he became arguably the team’s best pitcher this season. He owns a 2.58 ERA, 10-1 record in 101 innings over 18 starts.
Wacha has looked the part of an ace this season. He’s putting up All-Star-like numbers on a dollar store value deal.
Despite the impressive ERA and 10 win season, Wacha spent time on the injured list twice. His time on the injured list could impact his value this winter during free agency.
After seeing Wacha in Boston this season, should the Red Sox offer the veteran the qualifying offer?
The Red Sox will have a bevy of free agents to address.
If Wacha accepts the qualifying offer, it’ll be worth $19 million. Accepting that offer would give the right-handed hurler a considerable raise from this season.
The qualifying offer makes sense because you don’t have to lock Wacha up to a multi-year deal. Teams including the Red Sox will be in on his services for 2023, but they’ll also be hesitant due to his health issues in the past. The Sox could be open to a one-year, $19 million pact and if he’s healthy reward him with a multi-year extension.
It’s ok for the Red Sox to be have health concerns with the Iowa native. In the process though he should be a priority for Chaim Bloom and his front office.
If the Red Sox sign him to a three-year, $45 million extension for example, that would be ideal for both parties long term. However, if Wacha only gets the qualifying offer, accepts it and pitches like he did this season, it’s a win for the club too.
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisHenrique
For additional Red Sox, Patriots, MLB and NFL content follow Beyond the Monster on Twitter @BeyondtheMnstr.