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Trade Rumor Links Ex-Red Sox Pitcher Michael Wacha To AL East Rival originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Time to cue Bob Lobel: Why can't we get players like this?
The Kansas City Royals are considering trading right-hander Michael Wacha, who played for the Boston Red Sox in 2022. And he could be returning to Fenway Park ... as an opponent.
ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel rank the 34-year-old Wacha as the No. 18 player on their list of the top 100 trade candidates ahead of the Aug. 3 deadline.
Wacha is just 4-5 this season but sports an impressive 3.64 ERA. The workhorse leads the American League in starts (15), quality starts (10) and innings pitched (94.0).
Among the best fits for Wacha, according to Passan and McDaniel, are the New York Yankees. Also on that list are the Athletics, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins and Chicago Cubs.
"Few pitchers are as consistent as Wacha. He isn't going to headline a playoff rotation or even necessarily slot in as a No. 2, but rotation depth is important for postseason teams if only as a bulwark against injuries," ESPN's duo writes. "He doesn't rack up strikeouts, but he is durable and limits walks, making him a valuable and reliable third/fourth starter depending on the year."
Passan and McDaniel report there's a 50% chance the Royals trade Wacha, who is in the second year of a three-year, $51 million contract which includes a club option for 2028.
Wacha has played for six clubs during his 14-year career. He came to Beantown in November of 2021 when he signed a one-year $7 million contract.
The righty went 11-2 with a 3.32 ERA in 23 starts for the Red Sox in 2022, after which he signed with the San Diego Padres, getting a one-year deal worth $7.5 million.
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