3 San Diego Padres moves that worked out better than expected in 2023

The signing of Michael Wacha worked out better than expected in 2023

Last season, Michael Wacha had a very good season with the Boston Red Sox, going 11-2 with a 3.32 ERA. The craft right-hander became one of the players that Boston chose to not re-sign and bring back for 2024 and Preller swooped in and signed him.

In February, Wacha agreed to a four-year, $26 million contract with San Diego and, despite battling injuries, he was one of the top arms in Melvin's rotation this season. He made just one start from June 20 to August 15, but when he was on the mound, he was good.

He finished the season with a 14-4 record with a 3.22 ERA in 24 starts. He pitched 134.1 innings with 124 strikeouts and a WHIP of 1.16. He allowed 48 earned runs but, like a lot of other pitchers on the staff in the starting rotation and bullpen, he worked really well with Gary Sanchez after the veteran signed with the Padres. Wacha closed out the season with seven scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox in a 6-1 win on Saturday night.

Pitching is going to be one of the big question marks entering the offseason with the likely loss of Snell and picking up the mutual option for 2024 for the Padres is an almost must.