MLB
Michael Wacha
Michael Wacha
Kansas City Royals, Starting Pitcher
Age: 33-133d (Jul 01, 1991)
Exp: 11.062 Years
Country: US
College: Texas A&M
Drafted: Round 1 (#19 overall), 2012
Agent(s): CAA Sports
2025 Payroll Salary
$16,000,000
2025 Cash
$16,000,000
Career Earnings
$53,842,249
2024-2025 free-agent-xxb (CURRENT)
Michael Wacha signed a 2 year , $32,000,000 contract with the Kansas City Royals, including $32,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $16,000,000. In 2025, Wacha will earn a base salary of $16,000,000, while carrying a total salary of $16,000,000.
Contract Terms:
2 yr(s) / $32,000,000
Average Salary:
$16,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
Free Agent:
2026 / UFA
| Year | Age | Status | PayrollAnnual | Luxury Tax | Tax % League Tax | Cash Annual | Cash Cumulative | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
|
33 | $16,450,000 | $16,000,000 | 6.75% | $16,450,000 | $16,450,000 | |||
| 2025 |
|
34 |
Player
|
$16,000,000 | $16,000,000 | - | $16,000,000 | $32,450,000 | ||
| 2026 |
|
35 |
UFA |
|||||||
| Retained Salary | ||||||||||
| 2024 |
|
33 | - | $1,000,000 | 0.42% | - | - | |||
| Year | Age | Service | Status | Base Salary | Incentives Likely | Incentives Unlikely | Payroll Salary | Luxury Tax | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
|
33 | 10.062 | $16,000,000 | $450,000 | - | $16,450,000 | $16,000,000 | ||||
| 2025 |
|
34 | 11.062 |
Player
|
$16,000,000 | - | - | $16,000,000 | $16,000,000 | |||
| 2026 |
|
35 | -- |
UFA |
||||||||
| Retained Salary | ||||||||||||
| 2024 |
|
33 | $1,000,000 | - | - | - | $1,000,000 | |||||
| Year | Age | Status | Base Salary | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative | AYC Cumulative | AYC Remaining | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
|
33 | $16,000,000 | $16,450,000 | $16,450,000 | $16,450,000 | $16,225,000 | |
| 2025 |
|
34 |
Player |
$16,000,000 | $16,000,000 | $32,450,000 | $16,225,000 | $16,000,000 |
Contract Notes
- Player Opt-Out available after 2024
- Annual Incentives (Innings Pitched)
$50,000 each for 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150
($450,000 earned in 2024)
Source:
MLB contract specifics generally collected from verified reports.
2023-2026 free-agent-xxb
Michael Wacha signed a 4 year , $26,000,000 contract with the San Diego Padres, including $3,500,000 signing bonus, $26,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,500,000. In 2025, Wacha will earn a base salary of $6,000,000, while carrying a total salary of $16,000,000.
Contract Terms:
4 yr(s) / $26,000,000
Average Salary:
$6,500,000
Signing Bonus:
$3,500,000
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2022-2022 free-agent-xxb
Michael Wacha signed a 1 year , $7,000,000 contract with the Boston Red Sox, including $7,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $7,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $7,000,000
Average Salary:
$7,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2021-2021 free-agent-xxb
Michael Wacha signed a 1 year , $3,000,000 contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, including $3,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $3,000,000
Average Salary:
$3,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2020-2020 free-agent-xxb
Michael Wacha signed a 1 year , $3,000,000 contract with the New York Mets, including $3,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $3,000,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $3,000,000
Average Salary:
$3,000,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2019-2019 Arbitration
Michael Wacha signed a 1 year , $6,350,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, including $6,350,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,350,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $6,350,000
Average Salary:
$6,350,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2018-2018 Arbitration
Michael Wacha signed a 1 year , $5,300,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, including $5,300,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $5,300,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $5,300,000
Average Salary:
$5,300,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2017-2017 Arbitration
Michael Wacha signed a 1 year , $2,775,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, including $2,775,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $2,775,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $2,775,000
Average Salary:
$2,775,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2016-2016 Pre-Arb
Michael Wacha signed a 1 year , $539,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, including $539,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $539,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $539,000
Average Salary:
$539,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2015-2015 Pre-Arb
Michael Wacha signed a 1 year , $520,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, including $520,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $520,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $520,000
Average Salary:
$520,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2014-2014 Pre-Arb
Michael Wacha signed a 1 year , $510,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, including $510,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $510,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $510,000
Average Salary:
$510,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2013-2013 Pre-Arb
Michael Wacha signed a 1 year , $490,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, including $490,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $490,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $490,000
Average Salary:
$490,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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2012-2012 Signing Bonus
Michael Wacha signed a 1 year , $1,900,000 contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, including $1,900,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $1,900,000.
Contract Terms:
1 yr(s) / $1,900,000
Average Salary:
$1,900,000
Signing Bonus:
N/A
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Seasons
11.062 Years
Career Earnings thru 2025
$53,842,249
Earnings w/ Different Teams
6 teams
Earnings Per Year
| Year | Age | Team(s) | Status | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 21 |
|
Signing Bonus
|
$1,900,000 |
$1,900,000 |
|
| 2013 | 22 |
|
Active
|
$166,010 |
$2,066,010 |
|
| 2014 | 23 |
|
Active
|
$175,573 |
$2,241,583 |
|
| 2015 | 24 |
|
Active
|
$520,000 |
$2,761,583 |
|
| 2016 | 25 |
|
Active
|
$539,000 |
$3,300,583 |
|
| 2017 | 26 |
|
Active / arbitration-settlement
|
$2,775,000 |
$6,075,583 |
|
| 2018 | 27 |
|
Injured / Arb Avoided
|
$5,300,000 |
$11,375,583 |
|
| 2019 | 28 |
|
Active / Arb Avoided
|
$6,350,000 |
$17,725,583 |
|
| 2020 | 29 |
|
Active
|
$1,666,666 |
$19,392,249 |
|
| 2021 | 30 |
|
Active
|
$3,000,000 |
$22,392,249 |
|
| 2022 | 31 |
|
Active
|
$7,000,000 |
$29,392,249 |
|
| 2023 | 32 |
|
Active
|
$8,000,000 |
$37,392,249 |
|
| 2024 | 33 |
|
Active
|
$16,450,000 |
$53,842,249 |
|
| Total |
$53,842,249 |
$53,842,249 |
||||
| 2025 | 34 |
|
Active / Player
|
$16,000,000 |
||
| Total |
$69,842,249 |
Earnings Per Team
| Years | Team | Base | Signing | Incentives | Cash Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 |
|
$15,825,584 | $1,900,000 | - | $17,725,583 |
| 1 |
|
$1,111,111 | - | $555,556 | $1,666,666 |
| 1 |
|
$3,000,000 | - | - | $3,000,000 |
| 1 |
|
$7,000,000 | - | - | $7,000,000 |
| 1 |
|
$4,000,000 | $3,500,000 | $500,000 | $8,000,000 |
| 1 |
|
$16,000,000 | - | $450,000 | $16,450,000 |
| Year | Team(s) | Age | Base | Signing | Incentives | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 |
|
21 |
$1,900,000 |
$1,900,000 |
$1,900,000 |
||
| 2013 |
|
22 |
$166,011
|
$166,010 |
$2,066,010 |
||
| 2014 |
|
23 |
$175,573
|
$175,573 |
$2,241,583 |
||
| 2015 |
|
24 |
$520,000
|
$520,000 |
$2,761,583 |
||
| 2016 |
|
25 |
$539,000
|
$539,000 |
$3,300,583 |
||
| 2017 |
|
26 |
$2,775,000
|
$2,775,000 |
$6,075,583 |
||
| 2018 |
|
27 |
$5,300,000
|
$5,300,000 |
$11,375,583 |
||
| 2019 |
|
28 |
$6,350,000
|
$6,350,000 |
$17,725,583 |
||
| 2020 |
|
29 |
$1,111,111
|
$555,556 |
$1,666,666 |
$19,392,249 |
|
| 2021 |
|
30 |
$3,000,000
|
$3,000,000 |
$22,392,249 |
||
| 2022 |
|
31 |
$7,000,000
|
$7,000,000 |
$29,392,249 |
||
| 2023 |
|
32 |
$4,000,000
|
$3,500,000 |
$500,000 |
$8,000,000 |
$37,392,249 |
| 2024 |
|
33 |
$16,000,000
|
$450,000 |
$16,450,000 |
$53,842,249 |
|
| Total |
$46,936,695 |
$5,400,000 |
$1,505,556 |
$53,842,249 |
$53,842,249 |
||
| 2025 |
|
34 |
$16,000,000
|
$16,000,000 |
|||
| Total |
$62,936,695 |
$5,400,000 |
$1,505,556 |
$69,842,249 |
Earnings Per Team
| Years | Team | Base | Signing | Incentives | Cash Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 |
|
$15,825,584 | $1,900,000 | - | $17,725,583 |
| 1 |
|
$1,111,111 | - | $555,556 | $1,666,666 |
| 1 |
|
$3,000,000 | - | - | $3,000,000 |
| 1 |
|
$7,000,000 | - | - | $7,000,000 |
| 1 |
|
$4,000,000 | $3,500,000 | $500,000 | $8,000,000 |
| 1 |
|
$16,000,000 | - | $450,000 | $16,450,000 |
Injuries
| Year | Dates | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
KC |
Jun 02, 2024 - Jun 22, 2024 | Foot |
| 2023 |
SD |
Jul 04, 2023 - Aug 15, 2023 | Shoulder |
| 2022 |
BOS |
Jul 05, 2022 - Aug 14, 2022 | Shoulder |
| 2022 |
BOS |
May 08, 2022 - May 20, 2022 | Back |
| 2021 |
TB |
May 04, 2021 - May 23, 2021 | Hamstring |
| 2020 |
NYM |
Aug 09, 2020 - Aug 27, 2020 | Shoulder |
| 2019 |
STL |
Apr 19, 2019 - Apr 29, 2019 | Knee |
| 2018 |
STL |
Jun 21, 2018 - Oct 01, 2018 | Oblique |
| 2016 |
STL |
Aug 09, 2016 - Sep 14, 2016 | Shoulder |
-
Dec 15, 2023
Signed a 2 year $32 million contract with Kansas City (KC)
-
Nov 04, 2023
San Diego (SD) declined 2 year, $32 million option for 2024-2025
-
Feb 14, 2023
Signed a 4 year $26 million contract with San Diego (SD), including conditional options from 2024-2026
-
Nov 26, 2021
Signed a 1 year $7 million contract with Boston (BOS)
-
Dec 18, 2020
Signed a 1 year $3 million contract with Tampa Bay (TB)
-
Dec 11, 2019
Signed a 1 year $3 million contract with New York (NYM)
-
Jan 11, 2019
Signed a 1 year $6.35 million contract with St. Louis (STL), avoiding arbitration
-
Jan 12, 2018
Signed a 1 year $5.3 million contract with St. Louis (STL), avoiding arbitration
-
Feb 14, 2017
Signed a 1 year $2.775 million contract with St. Louis (STL), settling in arbitration
-
Mar 02, 2016
Signed a 1 year $539k contract with St. Louis (STL)
-
Mar 03, 2015
Signed a 1 year $520k contract with St. Louis (STL)
-
Mar 03, 2014
Signed a 1 year $510,000 contract with St. Louis (STL)
-
Jun 14, 2012
Signed a contract with St. Louis (STL)
-
Jun 04, 2012
Drafted by St. Louis (STL): Round 1 (#19 overall)
| Year | Team | GP | GS | H | R | ER | BB | K | HR | W | L | SV | IP | ERA | WHIP | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | KC | 29 | 29 | 154 | 65 | 62 | 45 | 145 | 17 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 166.7 | 3.35 | 1.19 | 3.51 |
| 2023 | SD | 24 | 24 | 113 | 49 | 48 | 43 | 124 | 15 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 134.3 | 3.22 | 1.16 | 2.46 |
| 2022 | BOS | 23 | 23 | 111 | 49 | 47 | 31 | 104 | 18 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 127.3 | 3.32 | 1.12 | 3.25 |
| 2021 | TB | 30 | 23 | 132 | 73 | 70 | 31 | 121 | 23 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 124.7 | 5.05 | 1.31 | -0.51 |
| 2020 | NYM | 8 | 7 | 46 | 26 | 25 | 7 | 37 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 34.0 | 6.62 | 1.56 | -0.19 |
| 2019 | STL | 29 | 24 | 143 | 71 | 67 | 55 | 104 | 26 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 126.7 | 4.76 | 1.56 | 0.15 |
| 2018 | STL | 15 | 15 | 68 | 36 | 30 | 36 | 71 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 84.3 | 3.20 | 1.23 | 1.11 |
| 2017 | STL | 30 | 30 | 170 | 82 | 76 | 55 | 158 | 17 | 12 | 9 | 0 | 165.7 | 4.13 | 1.36 | 1.48 |
| 2016 | STL | 27 | 24 | 159 | 86 | 78 | 45 | 114 | 15 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 138.0 | 5.09 | 1.48 | -0.22 |
| 2015 | STL | 30 | 30 | 162 | 74 | 68 | 58 | 153 | 19 | 17 | 7 | 0 | 181.3 | 3.38 | 1.21 | 3.00 |
| 2014 | STL | 19 | 19 | 95 | 41 | 38 | 33 | 94 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 107.0 | 3.20 | 1.20 | 1.40 |
| 2013 | STL | 15 | 9 | 52 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 65 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 64.7 | 2.78 | 1.10 | 1.86 |
Calculated Market Value
Market Value
- 3 years, $60,867,915
- Avg. Salary: $20,289,305
- MLB Rank: 49
- SP Rank: 15
Current Contract
- Free Agent: 2026
- Avg. Salary: $16,000,000
- MLB Rank: 82
- SP Rank: 30
Comparable Players
We've selected the following players based on their age, contract status, and statistical production to compare Michael Wacha to.
| Player | Length | Value | Avg. Salary | Age When Signed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miles Mikolas | 3 | $55,750,000 | $18,583,333 | 34 |
| Sonny Gray | 3 | $75,000,000 | $25,000,000 | 34 |
| Seth Lugo | 3 | $45,000,000 | $15,000,000 | 34 |
| Chris Sale | 2 | $38,000,000 | $19,000,000 | 34 |
| Averages | 3 | $53,437,500 | $19,395,833 | 34.0 |
Base Calculated Value
After adjusting the above contracts as if signed at Wacha's current age (33), a linear regression is performed, providing us with the following initial value.
| Length | Value | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | $77,777,776 | $19,444,444 |
Statistical Comparisons
Now we'll compare our variables and Wacha statistically over the two seasons prior to their signing. In this case we're analyzing: GS/Yr, IP, K/9, BB/9, ERA, WHIP, FIP, GP%, WAR
| Player | GS/Yr | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | ERA | WHIP | FIP | GP% | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Miles Mikolas
2021-2022
|
20.50 | 5.88 | 6.53 | 1.98 | 3.76 | 1.12 | 4.14 | 12.96 | 2.15 |
|
Sonny Gray
2022-2023
|
28.00 | 5.42 | 8.88 | 2.70 | 2.94 | 1.14 | 3.12 | 17.28 | 4.72 |
|
Seth Lugo
2022-2023
|
13.00 | 2.40 | 9.08 | 2.35 | 3.59 | 1.19 | 3.80 | 27.08 | 3.50 |
|
Chris Sale
2022-2023
|
11.00 | 4.92 | 9.45 | 2.06 | 3.74 | 1.09 | 3.10 | 6.77 | 2.57 |
| Average | 18.13 | 4.66 | 8.49 | 2.27 | 3.51 | 1.14 | 3.54 | 16.02 | 3.24 |
|
Michael Wacha
2023-2024
|
26.50 | 5.68 | 8.07 | 2.66 | 3.29 | 1.18 | 3.77 | 16.31 | 3.82 |
| Pct Change | 46.17 | 21.89 | -4.95 | -17.18 | 6.27 | -3.51 | -6.50 | 1.81 | 17.90 |
| Median Prime % Change | 1.81% | ||||||||
| Average Prime % Change | 6.88% | ||||||||
Calculated Market Value: Michael Wacha
After applying our Prime % figures into our base calculated value, we're given two values. The average of these values becomes our current calculated market value.
| Terms | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|
| 3 years, $60,867,915 | $20,289,305 |
