Fansided

One free agent each MLB team needs to target this offseason

By Joshua Sadlock

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during Game 5 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 27, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 27: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros pitches in the first inning during Game 5 of the 2019 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on Sunday, October 27, 2019 in Washington, District of Columbia. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Michael Wacha, St. Louis Cardinals
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 04: Michael Wacha #52 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts while walking back to the dugout after giving up two runs in the third inning against the Seattle Mariners during their game at T-Mobile Park on July 04, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Tampa Bay Rays: Michael Wacha

With their small budget and focus on openers and analytics, the Rays have become the lite version of the Astros. They will spend where they believe they can find an edge – case in point, signing Charlie Morton to a two-year deal for $30 million. Morton proved what he did in Houston was for real in his first season for the Rays and looks like a steal at $15 million per year.

The Rays were not a surprise playoff contender despite their low payroll, but they had to take their use of the opener to new extremes this year to get there. Morton was the only true starter who made it through the entire season in his standard role unscathed. It all worked out though, with the Rays leading the league in ERA.

Heading into 2020, the Rays will look to have a slightly more conventional rotation, hoping for full health out of Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell. They should also be hunting for undervalued starters on the open market who may benefit from having their arsenals and usage tweaked. One candidate for a makeover is former Cardinals right-hander Michael Wacha.

Wacha debuted to great hype in 2013, winning three playoff games and being named MVP of the NLCS after throwing 13.2 scoreless innings in two starts. He was 26-14 with a 3.21 ERA over his first three seasons in the big leagues, but has run into trouble with the injury bug the last four years. The 28-year-old is just 33-25 with a 4.39 ERA since 2016 and has thrown only 514.2 innings.

Wacha is still young enough to bounce back and see his career reverse course, but he needs to find the right home.

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