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St. Louis Cardinals: Adam Wainwright – a Cardinal for life

By David Hill

JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 12: Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch during the spring training game against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 12, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 12: Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals delivers a pitch during the spring training game against the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 12, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright wants to continue pitching beyond 2020, but only if the Cardinals want him.

Over the years, the St. Louis Cardinals have had several constants. Both Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright have become veteran leaders, growing with the franchise and experiencing the highs and lows of the game. Yet, through it all, Wainwright and Molina have been key members of the roster, helping teach the Cardinal Way to the next group of franchise cornerstones.

However, both could be seeing their time in St. Louis come to an end shortly. Both Molina and Wainwright are free agents at the end of the 2020 season, with their time in St. Louis potentially coming to an end. It is something that Molina appears to have come to terms with, as he stated that he would be willing to play elsewhere if need be.

That is not a sentiment shared by Wainwright. The long time Cardinals pitcher has expressed an interest in playing next year, but only if St. Louis wants him back.

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Wainwright is not the pitcher he once was. From 2007 through 2014, even though missing a year because of Tommy Joh surgery, he was one of the better pitchers in the National League. In that time, he posted a 117-65 record, along with a 2.99 ERA and a 1.162 WHiP. He was the ace of the Cardinals, a dominant force on the mound.

But shortly thereafter, his career appeared to be on the verge of ending. He was not the same pitcher he had been after tearing his left Achilles tendon early in 2015. Wainwright struggled to return to form, eventually settling in as a respectable back of the rotation arm.

Although he will turn 39 years old this year, Wainwright’s 2019 campaign gave hope for the future. He posted a 14-11 record with a 4.19 ERA; that ERA being the first time he was above average since his injury shortened 2015 campaign. There may still be a couple more years left in his arm, especially if 2019 is any indication.

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If there are, those seasons will only happen with the St. Louis Cardinals. Adam Wainwright, understandably, does not want to pitch anywhere else.

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