St. Louis Cardinals extend Adam Wainwright for 2022

It was a matter of time before the St. Louis Cardinals and Adam Wainwright agreed to an extension. Once he indicated that he wanted to return for the 2022 season, it just came down to the Cardinals and Wainwright agreeing on a number for the upcoming year.

That all came together on Friday afternoon. The Cardinals and Wainwright have agreed to another one year deal, which would appear to indicate that he will retire as a member of the franchise.

St. Louis Cardinals keep Adam Wainwright for 2022

It was not that long ago that Wainwright’s career appeared to be on its last legs. The Cardinals’ legend was, at best, a fifth starter, someone who just did not have anything left. Then came the pandemic shortened 2020 campaign, where Wainwright began to look like himself once more.

Maybe that break at the beginning of last year was exactly what he needed. Wainwright has been one of the biggest surprises in the game, re-emerging as a top of the rotation arm. He has posted a 3.05 ERA and a 1.057 WHiP over his 206.1 innings, striking out 174 batters with just 50 walks.

The Cardinals needed every one of those innings. As the pitching staff struggled with injuries and ineffectiveness, Wainwright stepped up to be the ace he had been before. Given his performance this season, and how much he has meant to the Cardinals, it is not a surprise that he was selected to start the Wild Card Game.

It is possible that Wainwright is leaving money on the table. Although he is 40 years old, some team may have been willing to take a gamble on a two year contract. But he never wanted to leave St. Louis, preferring to stay with the one major league team he has been a part of.

It was a matter of time before the St. Louis Cardinals and Adam Wainwright agreed on an extension. That deal came together on Friday.