If the St. Louis Cardinals hope for a reunion with second baseman Kolten Wong this offseason, they'll have to fend off quite a few other potential suitors.
Despite posting a 1.3 fWAR in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, the Cardinals elected to decline what seemed like a relatively reasonable $12.5 million option on Wong's contract for 2021. The decision not to pick up Wong's option may be one of the clearest examples we've seen of financial uncertainty in the sport, but it may also cost them Wong.
Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says that since the Cardinals declined his option on Oct. 28, "Wong has heard from at least a half dozen teams with interest." Goold added that the Los Angeles Angels are one of the teams known to have contacted Wong's representatives.
Having declined his option, it made it awkward for the Cardinals to celebrate Wong winning his second career Gold Glove Award Tuesday:
Though Wong did tell Goold that he "absolutely" would listen if the Cardinals reache out in an attempt to re-sign him, the second baseman also called the organization's decision to decline his option "such a punch in the gut." It can sometimes be difficult to return to a team that only wants you at a price that suits them, even if you never wanted to leave.
In addition to Wong, two Cardinals franchise icons - Yadier Molina and Adam Wainwright - are free agents in the twilight of their respective careers. Both are still productive enough that they figure to garner interest from other teams, with the Atlanta Braves reportedly already making contact with Wainwright.
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow RADIO.COM Sports
Twitter | Facebook I Instagram