Royals' $51 million starter named as trade candidate who could bring back best value

Why Royals should consider a Michael Wacha trade

Of course, the Royals should only consider moving Wacha if they're out of things by the MLB trade deadline at the beginning of August.

If they are in such a situation, there might not be many pitchers in baseball that could fetch the return the Royals could get for Wacha.

He has a 3.05 ERA through seven starts, has been in the Majors for 14 years, and has been fairly solid his entire career, pitching better lately, with a 3.43 ERA since 2022 compared to a 4.14 ERA from 2013 through 2021.

MORE: Pete Crow-Armstrong is still struggling to hit well for the Cubs

His $51 million deal through the 2027 season and 2028 club option would make Wacha a very appealing trade target for teams looking for help not just in 2026 but beyond as well.

If the Royals are out of the postseason hunt by the deadline, Wacha would make a ton of sense to trade, as they could get a very strong return in a trade for a starter who's as good as Wacha.

He'd bring back the best value of almost any pitcher that could be traded at this year's deadline, and would make a ton of sense for the Royals to part with if they're sellers by this August.

More MLB news:

• Three ways Pirates' Paul Skenes could lose NL Cy Young Award
• Aaron Judge makes baseball history never done before by Yankees player
• Reds' Elly De La Cruz makes baseball history not done in last 126 years
• 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for Cardinals
• Roman Anthony might’ve been overhyped for Red Sox