Mets Rumors: Ex-Cardinals Pitcher Michael Wacha Agrees to 1-Year Contract

Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha agreed to a one-year deal with the New York Mets on Wednesday, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.

Heyman noted Wacha will have a $3 million base salary in 2020 and can earn up to $10 million.

A first-round pick in 2012, Wacha spent the entirety of his career in St. Louis. He debuted in 2013 (2.78 ERA over 64.2 innings) and followed that up with back-to-back solid seasons, becoming an All-Star in 2015.

However, injuries began to take their toll. He missed more than a month late in the 2016 season with right shoulder inflammation. He was also limited to just 15 starts in 2018 with a left oblique strain.

The 28-year-old right-hander is coming off one of his worst seasons to date, going 6-7 with a 4.76 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP. He split time between the rotation (24 starts) and bullpen (five relief outings).

Wacha was left off the Cardinals' postseason roster as he dealt with a late-season shoulder strain.

For the Mets, the combination of incentives and playing for another contract could lead to a bounce-back performance for Wacha. And if not, it's only a small risk.

Signing Wacha helps New York replace Zack Wheeler, who signed a five-year, $118 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Mets still have two-time NL Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom, 2016 All-Star Noah Syndergaard, 2019 All-Star Marcus Stroman and Steven Matz fortifying the rotation.