Wacha agreed to a three-year, $51 million contract with the Royals on Sunday that includes a $14 million club option for 2028, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
The right-hander was expected to decline his $16 million player option for 2025, but Kansas City utilized the exclusive five-day negotiating window after the World Series to secure a new deal. Wacha was a key rotation piece for the Royals during their 2024 resurgence with a 3.35 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 145:45 K:BB over 166.2 innings.
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Royals' Evan Sisk: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Royals selected Sisk's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Friday.
Sisk had been set to hit minor-league free agency, but the Royals will prevent that from happening by adding him to their 40-man roster. The left-handed reliever put up a 1.57 ERA and 81:26 K:BB over 57.1 innings this season at Omaha. Sisk could make his major-league debut during the 2025 season.
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Royals' Chris Stratton: Exercises option
Rotowire
Stratton (forearm) exercised his $4.5 million player option for the 2025 season Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Stratton threw 58.1 innings out of the bullpen for the Royals in 2024, occasionally working in high-leverage situations. He posted a 5.55 ERA and 1.47 WHIP to go along with four saves and five holds. Stratton's season ended in mid-September due to forearm injury, though he is expected to be ready for the start of spring training.
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Royals' Hunter Renfroe: Sticking with Royals
Rotowire
Renfroe exercised his $7.6 million player option for the 2025 season Thursday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
The veteran outfielder began the season as the starting right fielder for the Royals, though his role shrunk after the acquisitions of Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman. Renfroe's primary shortcoming was a lack of power, as he posted a career-low .163 ISO across 424 plate appearances. Pham is entering free agency, which could give Renfroe a shot to start again entering 2025.
