Cardinals: Adam Wainwright takes direct shot at Rob Manfred

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright took a direct shot at MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, and he likely won’t be alone.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright is among the most thoughtful and respected players in baseball. So when he spoke to reporters and took a direct shot at baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, it’s sure to draw the attention from players, fans and everyone in the game.

“To just put it bluntly,” Wainwright said, “he doesn’t do anything for us.”

He then added: “I know how that’s going to read, so Commissioner Manfred, don’t take it personal. That’s just how it looks from a players’ standpoint.”

Ouch.

Wainwright, 40, is not alone among players in viewing Manfred that way, but that is easily the most pointed shot at Manfred since the lockout started. And it’s possible that Wainwright hears from Manfred after those comments, as the commissioner said after the lockout that he wanted to improve his relationship with the players.

If he wants to do that, reaching out to Wainwright would be a good start. If there is any player that can change the opinion of many throughout the league, it’s Wainwright., and having a conversation – perhaps an uncomfortable one – with the right-hander could go a long way.

For now, however, Wainwright is entering the season as the Cardinals’ No. 2 starter. But after an injury to Jack Flaherty, which has put his start to the regular season in jeopardy, Wainwright could shift to the No. 1 role like he did last season.

Wainwright would ease that blow, but still, losing Flaherty for any length of time would be a massive blow for a Cardinals team that is still looking for pitching depth. We will see what happens there. But for now, Wainwright’s not hiding his feelings toward Manfred, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if other players soon followed suit.