Angels Rumors: Halos Free Agent Starting Pitcher Target Looking for Multi-Year Deal
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The Angels have been heavily linked to RHP Michael Wacha all offseason long, who remains a free agent into February. The hold-up for his deal coming to fruition is the price tag. Wacha is reportedly looking for a two-year deal, something no team wants to give him at the price he's looking for. Two MLB insiders, Bob Nightengale of USA Today and Jon Heyman of the New York Post confirmed Wacha's desires for a two-year deal. Here was Nightengale's report:
"Michael Wacha, who was terrific for the Red Sox last season with an 11-2 record and 3.32 ERA, remains the best remaining pitcher on the free-agent market. Yet, teams still are unwilling to meet his request for a two-year, $30 million deal."
And here was Heyman's:
"Wacha is seeking a two-year deal."
You can't blame Wacha for wanting a two-year deal worth around $30 million, especially when you consider what the rest of the starting pitcher market got. After the Angels signed All-Star LHP Tyler Anderson — in what has turned into the steal of the offseason — the market exploded.
Players such as RHPs Zach Eflin, Taijuan Walker and Jameson Taillon got massive deals, and Wacha definitely should feel like he can match their value.
Last season, Wacha went 11-2 with a 3.32 ERA and 1.12 WHIP in 23 starts (127.1 innings pitched). An All-Star in 2015, Wacha had struggled over the last few seasons, but finally regained his form in 2022 — just in time to hit the open market.
This probably isn't how he expected free agency to go, especially with the massive deals other starting pitchers received. But this could end up boding very well for the Angels, especially if he remains unsigned into Spring Training.
At some point he's going to agree to a deal with someone, and Angels fans can hope that it's with their team. He would be a perfect fit as the No. 4 starter in the Angels' lefty-heavy rotation — one still looking to add a starting pitcher to round out their six-man rotation.
