Mets Land Pitcher Michael Wacha

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A second free-agent pitcher is heading to New York, but this time it’s the Mets making a move. According to WFAN's Jon Heyman, the Mets have reached an agreement with Michael Wacha on a one-year deal.

Wacha agreement with Mets is for 1 year. Will be back on market at 29 next winter. Finalizing details.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2019

Heyman reports Wacha will earn $3 million guaranteed with a chance to make $10 million from the Mets during the 2020 season. The 28-year old starter departs the St. Louis Cardinals after a disappointing season, giving up 26 home runs in 126.2 innings, while pitching to a 4.76 ERA.

In the prior season, Wacha was placed on the injured list due to a left oblique strain in late June. At the time, he had an 8-2 record with a 3.20 ERA and was less than three weeks removed from taking a no-hitter into the ninth inning. The Cardinals’ starter did not pitch again during the season, but returned healthy for his disappointing 2019 campaign.

Wacha was a first round draft pick by the Cardinals in 2012, arriving to their major league club the next year. During his rookie season, Wacha and current Mets’ manager Carlos Beltran helped the Cardinals get to the World Series. The Red Sox won the Series in six and the Cardinals split the games started by Wacha.

Cardinals starting pitcher Michael Wacha pitches during the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds Aug 31, 2019; St. Louis, MOJeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

In his third season, Wacha showed great promise as one of the National League’s best young pitchers, being named to the All-Star team at 23-years old. An imposing figure on the mound, standing 6’6” tall, Wacha features a fastball with velocity in the high-90s.

The addition of Wacha to the Mets starting rotation helps lessen the void left by Zack Wheeler. At 29-years old, Wheeler was signed away by the Philadelphia Phillies earlier this month for a five-year $118 million contract. A much more lucrative deal than the $10 million Wacha can reportedly earn with the Mets.

Wacha joins a rotation that currently includes Ace Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz and Marcus Stroman.