The KC Royals have a Michael Wacha problem they must address

It's been a shade over two months since Michael Wacha last lost a game for the KC Royals. He pitched well enough to win — more than well enough, really — but because the Royals failed to give him any run support, he took a heartbreaking 2-1 late-June loss after striking out six and surrendering only a run against Texas.

Since then, Wacha is 7-0 with seven quality starts, an impressive run that includes his outstanding performance in last Friday night's series opener against Philadelphia. Picked by manager Matt Quatraro to start the first of KC's 20 consecutive games with playoff contenders, Wacha helped fuel the Royals' 7-4 victory by limiting the Phils two a pair of runs, issuing no walks, and striking out five in six innings.

Wacha, scheduled to pitch this Wednesday in the finale of a four-game road series with Cleveland, is 11-6 with a 3.32 ERA in 23 starts. Only Seth Lugo has more wins (14) for the Royals this season than he.

Wacha is, simply put, one of the main reasons the Royals are serious postseason contenders after losing 106 games last season.

At the same time, though, he could present a serious problem for the club.

The Royals may have to work hard to keep Michael Wacha

Who ultimately proves to be general manager J.J. Picollo's best offseason addition remains to be seen, but Wacha is certainly a top candidate. He joined the Royals in December via a free agent contract slated to pay him at least $32 million.

But that deal has a catch, and therein lies the Wacha rub.

Let's see what that catch is...

Here's what the Royals should do

Picollo and principal owner John Sherman should, if they haven't already, begin considering how to keep Wacha. Assuming he declines his option, which seems quite possible considering the high value his current record is creating, he'll be a free agent eligible to shop his services to all 30 major league clubs. He hasn't announced what he plans to do, but testing free agency is an alternative he controls.

And he'll have plenty of suitors if he hits the market, many of whom will be more than willing to pay him more than his $16 million option. A nine-figure, three or four-year deal isn't out of the question.

What the Royals must do, and soon, is offer Wacha a high-dollar deal. He's too good to simply say goodbye to and, as fast as the club has improved and as well as it's playing, it should no longer just assume it can't afford to re-sign its free agents and then let them walk.

Kansas City should try to renegotiate his present deal with an eye toward signing him to a multi-year contract before this season ends. Hammering out such a deal would be advantageous to both team and player.

Sherman needs to clear Picollo to pursue Wacha now. Kansas City has an excellent shot at postseason play this season and, with another winter of key roster adjustments, should be even better next season.

Keeping Wacha will be critical. The Royals need to try hard, and spend the money, to make it happen.

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