4 pitchers KC Royals should target if they lose Michael Wacha

A lot of the Kansas City Royals' offseason plans hinge on starting pitcher Michael Wacha. Before the 2024 season, the 33-year-old joined the Royals a one-year, $16 million contract with a $16 million player option for 2025, and whether or not he exercises that option will determine the team's next move to lock in their starting rotation for next season.

If Wacha opts in, the Royals will welcome him back with open arms, but that scenario is looking increasingly unlikely. If Wacha declines his player option — which he is almost certain to do —  the Royals can extend a qualifying offer (set at $21.05 million for 2025), but if he declines that as well, the former All-Star will become a free agent, and the Royals will need a new starter to take his place in the rotation.

Here are four pitchers the Royals should target this offseason.

Corbin Burnes is a dream signing for the KC Royals

This is an extremely hopeful pick, bordering on entirely delusional. Still, Corbin Burnes is the best starter on the market this offseason and he would be a perfect addition to the Royals' rotation — if the team is prepared to spend VERY big.

Burnes established himself as an ace with the Milwaukee Brewers before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles in February 2024. In 32 starts this season, the 29-year-old went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 181 strikeouts in 194.1 innings.

Sportrac predicts that Burnes will sign a 6-year, $180 million deal out of free agency, which is substantially lower than a lot of other projections — in June, Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer predicted the ace would land an 8-year, $288 million contract. Either way, it's no small chunk of change, and the Royals are unlikely to shell out enough to even be in the conversation.