To the surprise of many fans and analysts around the baseball world, veteran right-hander Michael Wacha has still yet to sign.
With starters such as Justin Verlander, Jacob deGrom, Carlos Rodon, Tyler Anderson, and Nathan Eovaldi off the board, Wacha is the top remaining starting pitcher, having enjoyed a return to form with the Boston Red Sox in 2022.
The 31-year-old won 11 games and had a 3.32 ERA in 23 starts.
The Baltimore Orioles were a team that was expected to be a little more aggressive than they have been this offseason.
However, it’s not too late for Baltimore to make a splash.
According to Orioles insider Roch Kubatko, the O’s have remained in touch with Wacha, a pitcher they have shown interest in this winter.
The Orioles have stayed in contact with free agent starter Michael Wacha, @masnRoch reports.
More on the O's continued search for pitching, presented by @ToyotaofMD. https://t.co/OSnWrRIzfB pic.twitter.com/eLgdbUUhUH
— Orioles on MASN (@masnOrioles) January 16, 2023
Wacha made his MLB debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013 and earned NLCS MVP honors.
The veteran righty was an All-Star in 2015.
Injuries and inconsistencies plagued him during his time in St. Louis and he struggled to regain his form after brief stops with the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays.
Though his nagging shoulder issues persisted in 2022, the Red Sox seemed to have fixed him and helped him regain his 2013 form.
The Orioles already signed veteran righty Kyle Gibson to a one-year deal.
They also brought back reliever Mychal Givens.
Wacha would provide the team with another veteran presence in a young rotation and could fit perfectly next to John Means and Kyle Bradish.
Baltimore won 83 games last season and fell just short of the postseason.
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