St. Louis Cardinals: What can Adam Wainwright bring in 2018?

St. Louis Cardinals veteran pitcher and two-time World Series Champion, Adam Wainwright, enters his age 36 season optimistic.

Adam Wainwright had a tough 2017 for the St. Louis Cardinals, regarding health with his right pitching arm that required surgery at the end of the season. It was reported that he was dealing with some sort of arm issue that would not allow him to push himself to a max effort with his velocity. It was abundantly evident.

However, he ended the season with a very respectable win/loss record of 12-5 in 23 starts accounting for 123 1/3 innings pitched. Analytically, he was a below average pitcher, but you know what, he won baseball games. It was not pretty by any means.

Taking a more in-depth look at his numbers he was lucky to get the run support he received. He posted a 5.11 ERA, 4.29 FIP, and a 1.50 WHIP. None of which would typically allow a starter to win that many games at all, let alone keep their spot in the rotation.

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Entering his age 36 season, during the final year of his contract, this seems to be shaping up for one final ride for Uncle Charlie. I personally and rooting for him to end strong because he has been such a great player in the Cardinals uniform over the years and even more important than that, he is a great teammate and impacts his community in a positive way.

As mentioned, he is entering the final season with his contract. He is owed $19.5 million this upcoming season which is quite hefty for an average pitcher at his age. Apparently, this is more of being overpaid for his past performance, but still, what can he bring in 2018?

My Predator Projections has him pitching roughing the same amount of innings as a year ago. It also projects Wainwright to be a slightly below average player but will be still better than a replacement level.

Predator Projections:

GS: 21.3

Innings: 122.8

ERA: 4.01

PWAA: -0.16 (Tied for 330th out of 675 projected pitchers)

PWAR: 0.31

This is just one expected, so take it for what it is worth. In reality, coming off his season from last year who knows what the Cardinals could have with Wainwright. It might work out to the point that he loses his starting spot and falls into a long-relief role in the bullpen or maybe he closes? Crazy enough, I do not think the Cardinals are sure what they are getting from him in 2018.

The only known fact is that Adam Wainwright will have a role with the team in some facet. It is assumed that he will start the season as a back of the rotation starter through the spring and see how he feels by opening week. I think he has one month to figure out himself or Alex Reyes has the potential to take his spot in the rotation and put Wainwright in the bullpen.

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Adam Wainwright never waivers in his belief in himself. He wants to contribute to the St. Louis Cardinals team in any way he can, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out for him. I hope he exceeds all of our expectations of him for one final ride.