ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - The St. Louis Cardinals confirmed they have signed a deal with Adam Wainwright to a one-year deal.
Wainwright, 39, will be entering his 17th season with the Cardinals in 2021, matching Bob Gibson (17 years, 1959-75) for the 2nd-most seasons as a pitcher in a Redbirds uniform. Jesse Haines (18 years, 1920-37) is the only Cardinals pitcher with more years.
Radio.com Sports insider Jon Heyman reports the deal is for one year and worth $8 million. The Cardinals didn't disclose the financial details of the deal.
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Wainwright ranks 3rd all-time among Cardinals in wins (167), 2nd in strikeouts (1,830) and 6th in innings pitched (2,169.1). The two-time World Series Champion (2006 & 2011) and three-time All-Star (2010, 2013, 2014) ranks 7th among active pitchers in wins, 11th in strikeouts, and 8th in ERA (3.38), despite missing significant time due to injury in 2011, 2015 and 2018.
Wainwright was named the 2020 recipient of the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award this past November, recognizing him for his many contributions both on and off the field.
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There's no word yet on what his longtime battery mate Yadier Molina's future holds.
After the 2020 season, both Wainwright and Molina became free agents. It was the first time in Molina's career, but the third time for Wainwright, who signed back-to-back one-year deals with St. Louis.
They've been Cardinals teammates for 16 years and have played in seven MLB Postseasons together. In an exclusive interview with their former teammate Kyle McClellan, they both said they plan to be back in St. Louis and probably working with the organization in some way after their playing careers are over.
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Both players were rumored to be in discussions with other MLB teams this offseason. There was a chance for Wainwright to end up back in his home state of Georgia, with the Atlanta Braves and Molina had at least half a dozen possible suitors.
Wainwright, 39, was the oldest player in the National League last season. He's also been arguably the most reliable starting pitcher for the Cardinals the last few seasons. Last year he led the team in wins (5), games started (10), innings pitched (65.2) and strikeouts (54).
He ranks 4th in Cardinals history in pitcher WAR, 3rd all-time in wins, 2nd all-time in strikeouts, 6th all-time in innings pitched, 4th all-time in games started and 3rd all-time in K/BB rate.
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Molina has continued to be the leader of the Cardinals and the face of the franchise. His name will be all over the team's all-time record books for a long time. He's on the top-10 lists for Cardinals career WAR, games played, doubles, home runs and sacrifice flies.
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