Michael Wacha reflects on new contract with Royals: ‘We fell in love with the team’
Michael Wacha began Monday’s press conference at Kauffman Stadium with extreme gratitude for his organization.
Wacha, 33, had just signed a new three-year contract with the Kansas City Royals with a club option for the 2028 season.
As he sat next to general manager J.J. Picollo, Wacha gleamed with joy. Picollo reiterated the organization’s desire to keep him, calling Wacha a top offseason priority.
And Wacha felt the same.
He didn’t hesitate to return once the Royals approached him with a new contract. In his mind, Kansas City was the place he wanted to be.
“Thank you for believing in me,” Wacha told Picollo. “I can just echo, like you said, your No. 1 priority was getting me back and it was our No. 1 priority as well, for me and my family.”
Wacha has often expressed his love for the Royals and local community. He purchased a home in the area and enjoys living in the City of Fountains with his wife and daughter.
Kansas City has welcomed him back. Wacha thrived with a 13-8 record and a 3.35 ERA in 29 games started. He has spoken highly of the electric atmosphere at Kauffman Stadium and grew as a player alongside his Royals teammates and coaching staff.
For that, it didn’t take long for Wacha to arrive at his decision.
He had five days after the World Series to decide on a $16 million player option that could’ve allowed him to test free agency. There likely would’ve been suitors, but Wacha wanted to return.
“It was a great season for not only myself, but for the team,” Wacha said. “And just the way the season went throughout the summer, me and my wife fell in love with the city. We fell in love with the team, the staff here and everyone involved in the stadium. It was something where we didn’t want to go (anywhere) else.”
Wacha solidifies a starting rotation that features 2024 All-Star pitchers Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo. The Royals also have solid young starters Brady Singer, Alec Marsh and Kyle Wright ready to take the next step in their careers.
This season, Wacha held a key leadership role in the clubhouse. Several pitchers leaned on him for advice and support. He helped institute in-game huddles in the dugout and he watched his teammates’ bullpen sessions each day.
Picollo highlighted Wacha as the ultimate teammate. His voice within the Royals clubhouse provided stability and gave the organization a clear direction heading into the offseason.
“It brings us clarity,” Picollo said of retaining Wacha. “There’s not a lot for us to worry about from the pitching perspective right now. We can move on to other things we feel like we need to do, so the timing of this was really good. You can check off the big box early in the offseason and now you have, you know, three or four months before the season starts to try to make whatever changes you are going to make.”
Likewise, Wacha is ready to move forward.
“I was excited to get this done to be able to get back working with these guys,” Wacha said. “And I feel like there is still a little room for me to succeed and get better as a pitcher.”
Wacha also wanted to continue playing for manager Matt Quatraro. The two overlapped on the 2021 Tampa Bay Rays and again last year in KC.
“He is a great manager with a very calm demeanor,” Wacha said. “He is very smart and makes a lot of good decisions. … Getting to play for him was a no-brainer for sure.”
Quatraro is also looking forward to Wacha’s return. He often mentioned how Wacha’s detailed approach was a big factor in the team’s success. Now, he is excited to see those same principles unfold over the next few seasons.
“You heard what he talked about, the competition aspect and being around people that like to compete, and that makes me excited,” Quatraro said. “That’s something that I really like to hear and I know it’s gonna raise the floor again and set the tone that we are here to win.”
Wacha will begin his 13th MLB season in 2025. He has bounced around a bit since spending his first seven years with the St. Louis Cardinals.
He now has long-term security with the Royals and is excited to bring sustained winning to the organization moving forward.
“I feel like we had a really good season this past year and, you know, I like winning,” Wacha said. “I don’t have a ring yet and that’s something I want to do. I want to be on the team that is the last team standing out there.”
