Will the Red Sox make a Qualifying Offer to Michael Wacha?
The Sox signed Michael Wacha to a one-year deal for the 2022 season, and he turned out to be a surprisingly great addition to the starting rotation.
Despite missing time due to injury (like most of his fellow pitchers), Wacha is having a stellar year. Over 19 starts, including a complete-game shutout, he has a 2.69 ERA and 1.028 WHIP.
If the Sox are going to extend a qualifying offer to Wacha or Eovaldi, the former has youth on his side. He just turned 31 years old in July, making him a couple of years younger than Eovaldi, who will turn 33 in February.
However, Wacha had several rough seasons before coming to Boston, which should give the front office rightful pause. Between 2017-21, he posted a 4.51 ERA, 4.49 FIP, and 1.388 WHIP over 111 games. Since arriving in Boston, Eovaldi has a 4.12 ERA, 3.76 FIP, and 1.277 WHIP 94 games.
The Sox may extend qualifying offers to both, one, or neither of their starters. Either way, they have enough money to play with this offseason to ensure that they can build a stronger rotation next season.
Boston Red Sox Prospect Watch 9/12/22: Final week of 2022 season
We're at the final Boston Red Sox Prospect Watch of the 2022 season as the Low-A and High-A seasons have come to a close. Who ended the year with a bang?