MLB

MLB Offseason Round-Up: Starting Pitching Market Heats Up

Published

5 months ago

December 16, 2023

Michael Wacha, Pittsburgh Pirates, MLB offseason

This is one in a series of daily articles highlighting the latest news and notes from the MLB offseason.

The starting pitching market is heating up this MLB offseason. More specifically, it’s the middle-tier of pitchers flying off the board, but nobody is headed to the Pittsburgh Pirates yet.

On Friday, a potential Pirates’ target landed with the Kansas City Royals, who have been one of the biggest surprises of the winter in terms of activity.

Kansas City agreed to a two-year contract worth $32 million with veteran right-hander Michael Wacha. The deal comes with an opt-out after the 2024 season.

It will be Wacha’s sixth different team in the last six years. He spent the 2023 campaign with the San Diego Padres and went 14-4 with a very solid 3.22 ERA across 24 starts.

It was another rotation upgrade for the Royals, who signed fellow 2023 San Diego Padre Seth Lugo. The duo will be reunited in Kansas City in a new-look pitching staff for a 106-loss Royals’ team from a season ago.

GLASNOW GETS PAID

The previously reported Tyler Glasnow trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers will be completed as the big right-hander is nearing an extension with his new team. Glasnow and the Dodgers are finalizing a three-year, $90 million extension on top of the $25 million he will make in 2024. The deal has a $30 million club option for a fourth year that can turn into a $20 million player option if declined.

Glasnow is headed to Los Angeles alongside outfielder Manuel Margot in exchange for right-hander Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny Deluca.

OTHER NEWS AND NOTES

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Max Scherzer underwent back surgery and will be out of commission until June or July.
In addition to agreeing to a deal with Wacha, the Royals are bringing in free agent outfielder Hunter Renfroe on a two-year, $13 million contract.
The Atlanta Braves acquired veteran Matt Carpenter and lefty Ray Kerr from the San Diego Padres for a minor league outfielder. Atlanta is expected to flip Carpenter in another trade.
The Pirates acquired designated hitter/outfielder Edward Olivares from the Royals for minor league infielder Deivis Nadal.