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...

Michael Wacha's contract doesn't guarantee he'll be back next season

The deal Wacha signed looks like he'll be a Royal again in 2025, but don't take his return as a given. Yes, the contract guarantees him $16 million apiece for this season and next, but he doesn't have to come back. Instead, whether he pitches for Kansas City next year depends entirely on a player option — if he exercises it, he'll return, but if he doesn't, he won't be a Royal unless he signs a new KC deal.

Losing Wacha, one of the franchise's finest free agent acquisitions in recent memory, would be a blow and leave a gaping hole in manager Matt Quatraro's rotation. So, what should the club do?

The KC Royals must find a way to retain Michael Wacha

Wacha seems happy in Kansas City, he's pitching for a winner, and the Royal future is bright, all of which suggests he'll be tempted to return for another year.

But in his 12th major league season, Wacha is also a savvy veteran who knows baseball is a business, and the kind of year he's having suggests he'll be quite attractive on the open market if he declines his option and becomes a free agent.

The Royals need to get out in front of that possibility.

How to do that is the question...