The contract between the St. Louis Cardinals and ace pitcher Adam Wainwright is set to expire at the end of the 2013 season. That hardly means Wainwright will hit the free agent market as both sides “continue to accelerate” talks towards an extension according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Wainwright, 31, and the Cardinals have been working on a deadline of Opening Day to wrap up contract talks, they appear to be getting close.
The pitcher is said to be looking for a five year deal.
Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak has had ongoing talks with Wainwright’s agent.
“The St. Louis Cardinals and Adam Wainwright aggressively continue to work to a resolution on his contract status,” Mozeliak told the Post-Dispatch after Wainwright’s start. “And there is a sincere desire as there has always been to find a way to extend Adam. As opening day draws near, talks are intensifying and both parties agree that resolution is best sooner rather than later.”
Wainwright is in the process of wrapping up a six-year deal worth $36 million which was signed in 2008. A new deal will cost the Cardinals considerably more.
It has been a rough spring for the Cardinals who lost pitcher Chris Carpenter and shortstop Rafael Furcal for the season. Pete Kozma will assume duties at short. Signing Wainwright will end the spring on a positive note.
