Without a spot in the rotation and with possible plans to head into an arbitration hearing with the Cardinals, what is Michael Wacha going to do?
The St. Louis Cardinals have not gone into arbitration with a player in 17 years, but that record is about to be broken. This season, the team was able to avoid it with Matt Adams, Trevor Rosenthal and Kevin Siegrist, but not with Wacha. Carlos Martinez seemed to be approaching arbitration before landing a 5-year, $51 million extension on February 1.
Wacha had asked for $3.2 million while the team offered him $2.8 million. The real question is, will he be worth the extra money?
Wacha pitched in 27 games last season, resulting in a career high 5.09 ERA, with a 7-7 record. This is a definite step down from his 2015 season, where he went 17-7 with an ERA of 3.38, pitching in 30 games.
Wacha just turned 25 in the beginning of July, so he has time and youth on his side. Something he doesn’t have: a spot in the pitching rotation. The upcoming season’s rotation is set to include Adam Wainwright, Mike Leake, Carlos Martinez, Alex Reyes and Lance Lynn, assuming he’s fully healed from Tommy John surgery.
There has also been some talk throughout the offseason of veteran closer Trevor Rosenthal trying his hand at a starting position during spring training.
This doesn’t necessarily mean we won’t see Wacha start, but he isn’t the only pitcher wanting to start. Luke Weaver, who was 1-4 last season and started 8 games, will likely be looking for another shot this season.
Marco Gonzales is back after missing the entire 2016 season after having Tommy John surgery. He started 5 games in 2014 and only 1 game in 2015, so it’s unlikely that he’ll be starting anytime soon, but it remains a possibility.
With a full rotation and several others waiting in the wings, is Wacha truly worth $3.2 million? With no rumors to suggest either side will settle, I guess we wait for an arbitration hearing.
