The Braves know exactly where the pressure point is as the season heads into its final stretch: the rotation behind Chris Sale gets shaky fast. That’s why Michael Wacha should be on Atlanta’s radar, and why the Royals are the kind of team the Braves ought to be calling first.
Kansas City sits at 38-59, which makes it one of the few clubs in the AL with a clear path toward selling. And if the Braves are looking for a starter who can steady things without needing to be sold as a gamble, Wacha fits the bill. He’s the veteran arm Atlanta needs to target.
Wacha has been remarkably steady for years now. Since 2022, he has finished every season with an ERA in the 3s, and this year he picked up his second career All-Star nod after throwing 119.1 innings - the most in the American League - with a 3.77 ERA, a 4.00 FIP, and 2.2 bWAR. That’s the kind of production that matters when a team is trying to survive the grind of the second half.
The appeal goes beyond the numbers. Wacha works with an over-the-top arm angle, mixes six pitches, and leans on veteran savvy to keep hitters off balance. He’s not just filling innings; he’s doing it with a style that forces lineups to work for everything they get.
Of course, getting him out of Kansas City won’t be simple. The Royals are in position to ask for a strong prospect package, especially with Wacha under a very reasonable contract through the 2028 season. That deal gives him extra value, and it also makes him a more appealing target for Alex Anthopoulos than some other names that might come up.
Wacha’s production looks similar to what Sonny Gray could provide, but the contract situation may tilt the scale in his favor. With the MLB Draft and All-Star events now in the rearview mirror, the trade market should start heating up, and Atlanta needs to be ready when it does.
The Braves open the second half with a two-game lead over the Phillies, so the timing matters. If Wacha becomes available, Anthopoulos has to be prepared to move quickly.
A call to Royals GM J.J. Picollo would be a smart first step.
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