The St. Louis Cardinals’ latest missed reunion opportunity feels like another costly misstep. Some might consider extending a player with a player option as a free-agent move; I agree. The Cardinals have let go of key players who have gone on to excel elsewhere, with many of the same front office personnel still making decisions. Take Michael Wacha, for example. Under contract with the Cardinals through 2019, Wacha showed promise, with some fans even seeing him as a future ace.
While Wacha didn’t fully meet those expectations in St. Louis, he’s thrived since, particularly with recent success in Boston and now Kansas City. The Royals just signed him to a three-year, $51 million extension, reinforcing a pitching rotation that already includes Cole Ragans and Seth Lugo.
Although Wacha’s extension isn’t among the splashiest moves this offseason, his experience and performance make him a solid addition to Kansas City’s pitching staff. The Royals, who have shown significant improvement in 2024, will benefit from Wacha’s veteran presence and consistency.
Why didn’t the Cardinals bring Wacha back? The Cardinals were never expected to pursue Wacha aggressively. After leaving St. Louis, he joined the New York Mets, where then-GM Brodie Van Wagenen praised his “championship makeup” and postseason experience. Despite this high praise, Wacha eventually found his footing elsewhere, reinventing himself as a pitcher in Boston and Kansas City.
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak recently hinted that spending big on a player like Wacha wasn’t likely, especially with the team restructuring on the fly. As he noted, they’ll likely keep their budget similar to last year’s, which may not include room for a substantial Wacha contract.
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