Adam Wainwright expects to stay with St. Louis Cardinals for 2022
By David Hill
When the St. Louis Cardinals decided to extend Yadier Molina for the 2022 season, the countdown was on for Adam Wainwright. The Cardinals are cognizant of their place in history, both in regards to the team and overall in the majors. Molina and Wainwright are one of the few batteries to have more than 300 starts together, leaving them linked together in history. It would only be right for them to retire together.
It is just a matter of getting Wainwright to sign on the dotted line. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the two sides have begun to have preliminary talks about an extension, and are optimistic that a deal will come together soon.
St. Louis Cardinals expect to keep Adam Wainwright for 2022
It was unclear as to how much longer Wainwright would want to keep going. While he had a solid 2020 campaign, he had struggled for years before, making it unclear as to how productive he would be. As he turned 40 this season, it was also unclear that he would want to go through the rigors of spring training and the regular season for another year.
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But that was before Wainwright’s success this season. He showed that there may be plenty left in the tank, as he has posted a 16-7 record with a 3.05 ERA and a 1.043 WHiP over his 200.1 innings, striking out 170 batters with 46 walks. He leads the majors with three complete games, and has been far more than just a dependable innings eater in the middle of the rotation.
Based on that production, it would not have been a surprise if multiple teams were interested in Wainwright this offseason. Given his age, he likely would not command that high of a salary, but he could still prove to be an incredible bargain.
Instead, he appears destined to remain in St. Louis. His career will come to an end where it should – in a Cardinals uniform while throwing his last pitch to Yadier Molina. This time, the Cardinals will not have to worry about the free agency dance, losing a franchise icon to another team at the end of their career.
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Adam Wainwright and the St. Louis Cardinals are discussing an extension for the 2022 campaign. It is just a matter of time before it comes together.