Michael Wacha

Kansas City Royals, Starting Pitcher
Age: 33-86d (Jul 01, 1991)
Exp: 10.062 Years
Country: US
College: Texas A&M
Drafted: Round 1 (#19 overall), 2012
Agent(s): CAA Sports
2024 Payroll Salary

$16,000,000

2024 Cash

$16,000,000

Career Earnings

$53,392,249

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 2024, 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 $16,000,000 $16,000,000 6.75% $16,000,000 $16,000,000
2025 34
Player
$16,000,000 $16,000,000 6.64% $16,000,000 $32,000,000
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 - - $16,000,000 $16,000,000
2025 34 -
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 $16,000,000 $16,000,000 $16,000,000 $16,000,000
2025 34
Player
$16,000,000 $16,000,000 $32,000,000 $16,000,000 $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
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 2024, Wacha will earn a base salary of $6,500,000, 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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Career Earnings thru 2024

$53,392,249

Career 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
$16,000,000
$53,392,249
Total      
$53,392,249
$53,392,249
2025 34
Active / Player
$16,000,000
Total
$69,392,249
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
$16,000,000
$53,392,249
Total
$46,936,695
$5,400,000
$1,055,556
$53,392,249
$53,392,249
2025
34
$16,000,000
$16,000,000
Total
$62,936,695
$5,400,000
$1,055,556
$69,392,249

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 - - $16,000,000

Injuries

Year Dates Reason
2016 STL Aug 09, 2016 - Sep 14, 2016 Shoulder
2018 STL Jun 21, 2018 - Oct 01, 2018 Oblique
2019 STL Apr 19, 2019 - Apr 29, 2019 Knee
2020 NYM Aug 09, 2020 - Aug 27, 2020 Shoulder
2021 TB May 04, 2021 - May 23, 2021 Hamstring
2022 BOS May 08, 2022 - May 20, 2022 Back
2022 BOS Jul 05, 2022 - Aug 14, 2022 Shoulder
2023 SD Jul 04, 2023 - Aug 15, 2023 Shoulder
2024 KC Jun 02, 2024 - Jun 22, 2024 Foot
  • 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 27 27 143 59 57 43 138 16 13 7 0 156.0 3.29 1.19 3.30
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 0.00
2018 STL 15 15 68 36 30 36 71 9 8 2 0 84.3 3.20 1.23 0.04
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, $58,896,249
  • Avg. Salary: $19,632,083
  • MLB Rank: 65
  • SP Rank: 21

Current Contract

  • Free Agent: 2026
  • Avg. Salary: $16,000,000
  • MLB Rank: 92
  • SP Rank: 33

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
23.00 5.68 7.98 2.78 3.28 1.18 3.88 15.92 3.56
Pct Change 26.86 21.89 -6.01 -22.47 6.55 -3.51 -9.60 -0.62 9.88
Median Prime % Change -0.62%
Average Prime % Change 2.55%

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, $58,896,249 $19,632,083
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