Ex-Red Sox Stud Pitcher Reportedly Signs With Padres After Surprisingly Short Stint In Boston
Another former Boston Red Sox player reportedly is on the move.
Former Red Sox starting pitcher Michael Wacha reportedly agreed to a deal with the San Diego Padres on Tuesday afternoon, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
Wacha signed with the Red Sox ahead of the 2022 campaign and he immediately was the team's most consistent pitcher. The 31-year-old shined in what otherwise was a lackluster season for Boston finishing the year with an 11-2 record to go along with a 3.32 ERA in 23 starts. Wacha struck out 104 batters across 127 1/3 innings pitched and even tallied a complete game shutout throughout the campaign.
The longtime St. Louis Cardinals hurler entered free agency following the 2022 season and some had hoped he would re-sign with the Red Sox, but the two sides weren't connected much throughout the offseason. Boston opted to sign two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber and since the move hasn't been linked to many free-agent starting pitchers heavily.
Wacha will join longtime Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts in San Diego after the four-time All-Star signed a mammoth 11-year, $280 million contract with the Padres earlier this offseason.
San Diego made it to the National League Championship Series in 2022 and has reloaded this offseason. If Bogaerts and Wacha can carry over their play from 2022 with the Red Sox to the Padres, they certainly will help push them over the top.
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