On Thursday afternoon, the St. Louis Cardinals announced that they have officially re-signed starting pitcher Adam Wainwright to a one-year contract. The terms of the contract aren't known, but it's probably a team friendly with performance based incentives. Wainwright, 37, will be entering his fifteenth season as a Cardinal. Wainwright's fifteenth season will tie him with former Cardinals starting pitcher Bob Forsch for third-most as a pitcher in a Cardinals uniform. Wainwright missed a lot of the 2018 season, but in the final month he showed the Cardinals he could still help a little.Yes, his era was high with an era of 4.84 in 4 starts but the strikeouts were up, and he had less walks. His best start was on September 16, 2018 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He pitched 6 strong innings, allowing 2 hits, 0 runs, 9 strikeouts, and 3 walks. The Cardinals won 5-0. He seemed fine against the San Francisco Giants in his next starts, but the defense hurt him in that game. He finished the 2018 season going 2-4 in 8 starts, 4.46 era, 40.1 innings, 40 strikeouts, and 18 walks.
Wainwright's career numbers are: 148 wins, 85 losses , 3.32 era, 352 games, 285 starts, 22 complete games, 10 shutouts, 3 saves, 1,932.0 innings, 1,623 strikeouts, 512 walks, and a whip of 1.21.
Wainwright may be near the end of the road but his presence means a lot to the team. Teams value that a lot to help younger player. Wainwright has been a big influence for starting pitcher Jack Flaherty. What will Adam Wainwright's role be in 2019? Will he be a starting pitcher or work out of the bullpen? To me he could be a good spot starter if needed. Wainwright if he does have a good season left in him can retire as a Cardinal, and go out on a good note. I think Wainwright himself wants to go out a better way somehow.
