Wainwright, Cardinals talking

Cardinals staff ace Adam Wainwright‘s agent and the Cardinals are still talking about a contract extension.
Mar 18, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) leaves the game in the seventh inning during a spring training game against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium. Image Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports Mar 18, 2013; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (50) leaves the game in the seventh inning during a spring training game against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium. Image Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
After losing Albert Pujols in the previous offseason during his contract year, the Cardinals cannot afford to lose Adam Wainwright, the 2000 first round draft pick who was sent over by the Atlanta Braves with fellow pitchers Jason Marquis and Ray King in exchange for outfielder J. D. Drew and catcher Eli Marrero. While Shelby Miller has the potential to be the staff ace of the future, he’s not the staff ace right now. Wainwright is.

Since 2007, when Chris Carpenter was out for the season, Adam Wainwright has been pitching himself into the role of staff ace or an equal of Carpenter. In 2008, he signed a six-year, $36-million contract extension which expires at the end of this season.

Derrick Goold reports what Wainwright’s agent, Steve Hammond, has said about the negotiations.

"“We want to get something done before spring training ends, and that’s our goal,” Hammond said after meeting for several hours with the Cardinals brass. “They have communicated clearly that they want to keep Adam here, and we’ve communicated that he wants to be here. We have to keep working on that.”"

Wainwright has done well since he joined the rotation.

"Since 2007, Wainwright’s first full year as a starter in the majors, only five pitchers have ERAs better than Wainwright’s 3.14, and all five of them have at least one Cy Young Award already on their resume. The righthander is 80-48 overall in 214 games (151 starts) for the Cardinals, and his 44 wins at Busch Stadium III are the most in the ballpark’s seven-season history."

Meanwhile, there’s been a lot of activity in the minor leagues this week.

On Monday, while facing the Las Vegas, the New York Mets AAA affiliate, Michael Wacha put up some impressive numbers: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, and 4 Ks.

Playing for Palm Beach on Monday, C.J. McElroy had an impressive day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a triple, 2 RBIs and two runs. On the same day with Peoria 2, David Washington had an amazing day, going 4-for-5 with a triple, HR, 2 RBIs and 2 runs.

For Peoria yesterday, Michael Swinson had a busy day on the diamond, hitting 4-for-5 at the plate with a triple and two runs scored, and a stolen base.