MLB Insider: What Michael Wacha signing means for Padres and why it happened

The San Diego Padres are in agreement on a contract with right-hander Michael Wacha. Here’s what it means for both sides.

All offseason, the San Diego Padres had been in the market for a free-agent starting pitcher. They had conversations with right-hander Johnny Cueto and were a finalist before he signed with the Miami Marlins. They had talks with other starting pitchers, but ultimately were unable to finalize a contract entering spring training.

But as the Padres opened up camp, they agreed to terms on a contract with free-agent right-hander Michael Wacha, league sources tell FanSided. The deal, which is pending a physical, is said by multiple sources to be “complicated” in structure.

Padres sign pitcher Michael Wacha: What it means

Wacha, 31, is coming off a season in which he posted a 3.32 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 127.1 innings (23 starts). He was the top remaining starting pitcher on the market and had been seeking a multi-year contract in free agency. Now, he slots into a rotation that features Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove and Blake Snell with Lugo and Nick Martinez figuring into the rotation as well.

The Padres now are able to successfully implement a six-man rotation, something they had success with early in 2022. The Wacha addition also eases the workload of both Lugo and Martinez, who have thrived in both the rotation and bullpen.

Under A.J. Preller, additional roster moves can never be ruled out. But the Wacha addition fills the organizations biggest hole and further bolsters their World Series chances a season after losing to the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Championship Series.