Starting pitcher Michael Wacha and the New York Mets are in agreement on a one-year deal for the one-time All-Star.
Former St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha is coming to the New York Mets on a one-year deal, per Tim Healey of Newsday.
After losing Zack Wheeler to the Philadelphia Phillies, the Mets needed a fifth starter in the rotation. The 28-year-old has been inconsistent throughout his career, but many of his low-points can be attributed to injury.
Wacha can be a serviceable starter when fully healthy. He has had an ERA below 4.00 four times during his career and was an All-Star in 2015.
Mets fans may be concerned that Wacha is coming off a terrible 2019 season, which is quite possibly the worst of his career, even though he was healthy. He was so bad that he was moved to the bullpen in May. His 4.76 ERA was close to the worst of his career and his 5.36 FIP indicates that he may have even benefitted from some good luck last season.
A move to New York may just be what Wacha needs. He will have the opportunity at a fresh start as a back-end pitcher in the rotation.
The Mets needed to add a starting pitcher but have other needs to address, as well. It was obvious they would not be willing to allocate much to acquire another starter. While the Mets may have been able to add a better pitcher than Wacha, taking a chance on a veteran as their fifth starter isn’t the worst move in the world.
Many pitchers in baseball find new life in a new city, and that could very well end up being the case with Wacha.
If Wacha does not work out as a starter, the Mets can do what the Cardinals did and move him to the bullpen as a middle-inning reliever. Additionally, the Mets aren’t risking much on Wacha considering the fact that he’s only signing a one-year deal.
The righty hurler doesn’t need to be a stud for the Mets to have one of the best rotations in baseball. If the Wacha of old makes a reappearance next year, then the rest of the league really is in trouble.
