The market for right-hander Michael Wacha could be picking up steam, with a certain team showing “continued interest,” as was reported by Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
The Baltimore Orioles are a team that appears to have Wacha on their radar.
The 31-year-old came up in 2013 with the St. Louis Cardinals and earned NLCS MVP honors.
Since then, injuries have slowed him down a little, but the veteran right-hander appeared to have found his groove this past season with the Boston Red Sox, winning 11 games and posting a 3.32 ERA in 23 starts, emerging as the team’s ace.
#Orioles showing continued interest in Michael Wacha, whose market could move quickly now that Syndergaard and Lorenzen have reportedly reached agreements elsewhere. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 15, 2022
O’s Targeting Wacha
Wacha could be a good fit in Baltimore.
The Orioles obviously have a low payroll and could look to increase it a bit.
Wacha would be a good start.
Health is certainly a question mark, but if he stays healthy, then the Orioles will have a veteran presence in their starting rotation to go alongside John Means and Kyle Gibson, who was recently signed after spending a few seasons in Philadelphia.
Wacha’s former team, the Cardinals, could also use some help in their starting rotation after the departure of lefty Jose Quintana.
He could then reunite with his former teammate in Adam Wainwright.
But the Orioles are going to be an interesting team to watch this winter.
After winning 83 games, the team made it clear that they intend to compete for a spot in the postseason in 2023.
Baltimore finished just three games back of the Tampa Bay Rays for the final Wild Card spot.