Adam Wainwright Re-signs With St. Louis Cardinals

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have re-signed starting pitcher Adam Wainwright to a one-year contract, worth $8 million. Wainwright, 39, was 5-3 with a 3.15 ERA, 10 games, 10 starts, 2 complete games, 65.2 innings, 54 strikeouts, and 15 walks in 2020. The complete games were Wainwright's most since he had 5 complete games in 2014. Wainwright moved into 3rd in the Cardinals all-time wins list for pitchers, with no.167 in 2020. Only Bob Gibson (251) and Jesse Haines (210) have more wins in franchise history than Wainwright. Wainwright ranks 7th in games played for pitchers with 393. Wainwright can move past Jason Isringhausen for 6th in games played in 2021. 

In innings pitched for the Cardinals, Wainwright ranks 6th with 2,169.1 innings. Wainwright ranks 2nd in strikeouts with 1,830 and 4th in games started with 326. 

Wainwright helped the Cardinals win the World Series in 2006. Wainwright has been a 3 time All-Star: (2010, 2013, and 2014). Wainwright has won 2 Gold Glove Awards: (2009, and 2013). Wainwright won the Sliver Slugger Award in 2017. Wainwright has led the NL in wins two times: (2009, and 2013). In 2020, Wainwright won the Roberto Clemente Award. 

Overall, Wainwright has played 15 seasons in the MLB. Wainwright is 167-98 with a 3.38 ERA, 393 games, 326 starts, 24 complete games, 10 shutouts, 17 holds, 3 saves, 2,169.1 innings, 1,830 strikeouts, 591 walks, and a whip of 1.22. 

Wainwright might not be the same pitcher he once was, but he's shown the past two seasons he can still be a reliable starting pitcher. Wainwright also brings leadership to the starting pitching staff. You can never have enough pitching. At times Wainwright is like having another pitching coach too. The Cardinals needed to keep Wainwright around.

St. Louis Blues Sign Mike Hoffman

 

The St. Louis Blues have signed left wing Mike Hoffman to a one-year contract, worth $4 million. Hoffman, 31, spent the last two seasons playing for the Florida Panthers. Last season, in 2019-2020, Hoffman played 69 games with 29 goals, 30 assists, 59 points, and a -5. 

Hoffman's best season came in 2018-2019, with the Panthers. Hoffman played 82 games with 36 goals, 34 assists, 70 points, and a -24. The goals, and points were both career highs for Hoffman. Hoffman's career high in assists were 35 in 2016-2017, with the Ottawa Senators. Hoffman spent 7 seasons with the Senators before being traded to the Panthers on June 19, 2018. 

Overall, Hoffman has played 9 seasons in the NHL. Hoffman has played 493 games with 172 goals, 187 assists, 359 points, and a -19. In the playoffs, Hoffman has played 29 games with 10 goals, 9 assists, 19 points, and a -1. 

Hoffman had signed a professional tryout with the Blues on December 27, 2020. While in camp, Hoffman has been on a line with Robert Thomas, and Jaden Schwartz. That line has the potential to be a great line.

Hoffman should be a big part of the Blues powerplay. Hoffman has 60 career goals, and 62 career assists on the powerplay.