Michael Wacha Trade Destinations: Cubs, Braves, or White Sox?

With the deadline looming on August 3rd, the baseball trade winds are starting to blow, and Michael Wacha’s name continues to be floated on those winds. The Royals workhorse just threw his 13th quality start in 20 outings this season, ranks 3rd in MLB with 125 1/3 innings pitched, and has an affordable contract for 2027 at $14 million and a club option for 2028 also at $14 million. In his 125 innings pitched, Wacha has posted a 1.17 WHIP, allowing 111 hits, 36 walks, and 5 batters hit by pitch. His ERA is 3.66, and his FIP trails closely at 4.03. Those factors make him a target for almost any contender's rotation. Who could be a good fit for Michael Wacha at the deadline?

Why The Braves Would Want To Trade For Michael Wacha

The Braves sit at 58-42 and are currently atop the National League East. The trio of Chris Sale, Bryce Elder, and Grant Holmes have all been good this year. Sale has been excellent, posting a 2.06 ERA in 18 starts with 11 quality starts. After those three, the rotation gets sketchy. Reynaldo Lopez has averaged a little over four innings per start in his last five starts. Martin Perez is back in the rotation after a recent stint on the IL. Lopez and Perez have combined for a grand total of three quality starts. That just isn’t giving Atlanta the length it needs to keep its outstanding bullpen fresh. Lopez has appeared in 23 games with 10 starts, so it seems he would be the logical candidate to move back to the pen if Atlanta made a move for a starting pitcher. Lopez sports an ERA of 3.95 and a FIP of 4.57. Wacha currently outpaces Lopez in both categories.

Why The White Sox Would Want To Trade For Michael Wacha

In what would be a rare interdivisional trade, the White Sox stand out as another starting pitching-deprived team. In a surprise on the South Side, the Sox are currently tied for first place in the American League Central while also being plus 1 game up in the wild card standings. Wacha could easily slide into the number three spot in the rotation ahead of Anthony Kay and Eric Fedde. In fact, the White Sox have a dramatic drop-off in innings pitched after Fedde. Fedde has thrown 93 innings, and the next closest player has just 56 innings pitched. Wacha is an innings eater and would give the bullpen a chance to catch their breath.

Why The Cubs Would Want To Trade For Michael Wacha

The Chicago Cubs are currently in second place in the National League Central Division at 57-44 and are currently 4.5 games ahead in the wild card race standings as the first wild card recipient. To say the Cubs' starting pitching could use some help would be an understatement. Wacha would immediately become the de facto ace of the staff. Only Shota Imanaga comes close to matching Wacha’s 2026 performance. Imanaga has a solid 3.91 ERA and a FIP of 4.5. Wacha would easily be in any playoff rotation for the Cubs. Of these three teams, the Cubs may be the most desperate for Wacha’s services.

Jim Bowden suggested this possible trade in The Athletic:

Cubs receive: Michael Wacha, RHP

Royals receive: Matt Shaw, INF/OF; Kevin Alcántara, OF

In this deal, the Cubs would add Wacha, 35, who made the All-Star team this year and is controllable through 2027 with a team option for 2028. He has posted sub-4.00 ERAs each of the past five years (including this one) and still has a special changeup and unique downward plane to his pitches.

In return, the Royals get two young bats who can’t crack the Cubs’ starting lineup in Shaw and Alcántara. Shaw, 24, can play second base, third base and corner outfield. As an everyday player, he projects to have 15-20 home run power. Alcántara, 23, has never been given a legitimate chance with Chicago, but he’s having another strong season in Triple A.

I think this deal is an overpay by the Cubs, but it could be worth it to land a veteran starter like Wacha, especially given that there are so few starting pitchers on the market right now.

The Royals front office has stated the return for Wacha would need to be “massive”. Any offer is usually just a starting point. Oh, to be behind those closed doors and hear what offers and counteroffers are being made. I believe the Cubs, Braves, and White Sox will all make a move for starting pitching. Who will they target? Unclear. The reality is the Cubs could use as many as three starting pitchers, the White Sox two, and the Braves one. Even if one or two of the top names in Tarik Skubal, Joe Ryan, Kevin Gausman, Foster Griffin, Casey Mize, or Reid Detmers are moved, that doesn’t mean the door is closed on Wacha moving to that same team. As seen above, even teams in control of a playoff birth still need more starting pitching.