Wainwright open to long-term deal soon

Absolutely - give him a 3-5 year deal with club options for 4-2 more (or some mix in there). He has been one of the best for the Cards through the years and is showing his form returning after this year (continued to get better during the year).

I just hope he remembers that the Cards took of him and don't ask for the world because you will not get it in St. Louis.

QUOTE(#1):

Originally posted 08:44 AM ET  11.05 by Lex-LOU-thor

Absolutely - give him a 3-5 year deal with club options for 4-2 more (or some mix in there). He has been one of the best for the Cards through the years and is showing his form returning after this year (continued to get better during the year).

Agreed. Lock this guy up, he's a proven winner.

It's not like I have one foot out the door (to free agency).

Not yet, anyways.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 11:04 AM ET  11.05 by THE BISHOP!

It's not like I have one foot out the door (to free agency).Not yet, anyways.

Depends on the negotiations and how they transpire. St. Louis will NOT leverage the future to any great extent. And there are some great arms in the pipeline - so I hope he doesn't get too greedy....

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 11:21 AM ET  11.05 by Lex-LOU-thor

Depends on the negotiations and how they transpire. St. Louis will NOT leverage the future to any great extent. And there are some great arms in the pipeline - so I hope he doesn't get too greedy....

I really don't think he will. He's a pretty level headed guy and seems to genuinely want to stay in STL, unlike some people who will remain nameless.

As long as it's a fair offer from the Cardinals, look for Adam will be here long term.

wiseup: locking up Wainwright would be a wise choice, even if it cost management a little more. If Loshe 9 ( which it looks like ) and who knows how long Carpenter will be effective. The Cardinals have Rosenthal and Kelley, both could start. That leaves Garcia And Lynn or Some combination. Wainwright seems to be the key to holding rotation together.

This would be smart for the Cards...someone else will be glad to pay the guy.

Really tough to give him elite money ($18M+) being two years remove from an elite season--he was actually below league average in his first year back. I'd like to see something similar to Yadi's deal--5 at $75M--but I think it's going to take 6 at $90M+.

If he puts together 16+ wins, 200 Ks and an ERA around 3.00 this year, he could go into the offseason as the top free agent behind Cano and Lincecum--each will pull nine figures if they hit the market.

I think it is smart to sign Waino for this reason: looking a couple of years down the road, Carp is retired, Westbrook is gone. The rotation is made up of young starters like Garcia, Lynn, Miller, Rosenthal, Kelly, etc. A veteran presence like Adam would be a tremendous asset in that situation.