The Royals are heading into the trade deadline as sellers, but Michael Wacha does not sound like a player they’re eager to move.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Kansas City has “no intention” of trading the veteran right-hander, even though the club is expected to deal from its roster on August 3. Nightengale added that the Royals will still listen if teams come calling.
That’s the key part of the story: Wacha is available in the sense that the Royals won’t slam the door shut, but he is not being shopped like a typical deadline piece. Nightengale wrote, “The Royals will listen but have no intention of trading Michael Wacha, who not only made the All-Star team for the first time in 11 years but is considered an invaluable clubhouse leader,”
The 35-year-old is under club control through the 2028 season, which gives Kansas City plenty of reason to hold onto him. At minimum, he appears likely to remain with the Royals through the 2026 season.
Still, control doesn’t mean untouchable. If another team makes a strong enough push, Kansas City will have to weigh the offer. Wacha’s value is obvious: he’s making $51 million, owns a 3.77 ERA in 19 starts this season, and has been named an All-Star for just the second time in his 14-year MLB career.
That’s why the Royals’ stance makes sense. They can take calls, keep their options open, and avoid moving Wacha unless someone blows them away. If a desperate club such as the Chicago Cubs or Atlanta Braves comes with an offer that’s too good to pass up, Kansas City would at least have to think about it.
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Royals Double Down On A Draft Bet Fans Know Well
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Slightom also fits into a system that has been collecting young pitching talent, joining names such as David Shields and Kendry Chourio as part of the next wave. For Kansas City, the appeal is obvious: a big-bodied teenager with power stuff, a college commitment to navigate, and plenty of room for the organization to mold him into something more than a draft-day bet. [Read more 🡒]