3 players who are playing their way out of KC Royals' 2025 plans

RHP Michael Wacha

A team usually holds all the cards when it comes to roster decisions, but that’s not the case with starting pitcher Michael Wacha. The right-hander has all the leverage regarding his 2025 decision, and it’s possible he could depart Kansas City in favor of a long-term deal with another team.

The long-time St. Louis Cardinals pitcher joined the Royals this offseason, marking his fifth team since 2020. Wacha has steadily rebounded from his final year in St. Louis, improving his production and value with each team. The same holds true in Kansas City, where he has quietly been one of the key factors behind the rotation's improvement.

Wacha is following a similar script to his 2023 season, where he struggled early but delivered an elite second half. As of his Aug. 17 start, Wacha had rebounded to an 8-2 record with a 2.59 ERA across 14 starts, after beginning the season 0-4 with a 7.01 ERA. With late-season fatigue affecting All-Star Seth Lugo, Wacha has stepped up as the dependable, quality starter the team needs. While he may not overpower hitters with velocity, his baffling changeup and constant evolution showcase his competitive nature and ability to adapt.

That dependability, combined with his age of 33, positions Wacha well for one more potential payday. He has a player option for 2025 worth $16 million, but no one would fault him for opting out in pursuit of a multi-year deal with a similar annual value. While losing Wacha would undoubtedly be a blow for Kansas City, this was the gamble they took by offering him that option.

LHP Angel Zerpa

Left-handed pitcher Angel Zerpa has spent his entire baseball career with the Royals, signing as an international free agent on July 26, 2016. Over the years, his role and outlook have shifted, but his 2024 season has been particularly tumultuous. Following a post-All-Star slump, Zerpa's future with the team is looking increasingly uncertain.

Zerpa made his debut as a starter on Sept. 30, 2021, becoming the youngest Royals starter since Zack Greinke in 2005. His shutout performance that day offered a glimmer of hope, but injuries and inconsistent outings have since dimmed that optimism. As he headed into his fourth season with the Royals, Zerpa needed a strong 2024 to solidify his place on the team.

The season began better than anyone expected, as the Venezuelan pitcher transitioned full-time to the bullpen. By the end of May, Zerpa had posted an impressive 1.54 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP, quietly emerging as one of Kansas City's more dependable bullpen arms. However, after a brutal June, he quickly rebounded in July. Now, with August proving to be another challenging month, Zerpa's effectiveness is once again in question.

Zerpa has allowed eight hits and six earned runs in just 2 2/3 innings of work this month, while walking more batters than he strikes out. He’s struggling to locate anything other than his sinker, and opposing hitters have started to key in on that pitch. Zerpa is now facing a crucial moment of adversity—either he needs to trust his stuff and push through, or he must acknowledge that a major adjustment is necessary to become a reliable reliever.

How Zerpa handles this pivotal moment will determine his future with the Royals. He has the remaining games of the season to prove he can adapt and improve, or his inability to adjust could be his downfall. Either way, Kansas City needs him to regain his early-season form as they head into the final stretch.

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