Cardinals (finally) make a move - and then some more

Adam Wainwright joined the Zoom call with the media Friday to announce that he and the Cardinals had reached an agreement on a new contract wearing a catcher’s facemask with Yadier Molina’s No. 4.

“I’m back,” Wainwright said.

His one-year deal, reportedly for $8 million, means the 39-year-old pitcher will return for a 16th season with the Cardinals.

“I really want to win,” Wainwright said. “I don’t want to just come back and play, but I really want to win.”

Wainwright, who was the first signing for the club this offseason, also made a reference to how the rest of the offseason might be shaping up.

“I’ve got a feeling there’s some goodness happening here,” he said. “That’s all I’m going to say.”

Not too much later there were reports that the Cardinals and Molina agreed to a one-year deal. Later Friday evening, Ken Rosenthal reported that the team has acquired Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado in a trade. The Associated Press also reported it.

Wainwright and Molina are certainly the most important things to cross off the to-list for the Cardinals because of their influence as a clubhouse leaders.

The mask might be a reference to Molina’s future, but it was also part of an inside joke.

Wainwright released a video Friday on Twitter in which he was wearing the mask and a Blues jersey saying he hard heard the hockey team had signed him. (A local station ran video with a breaking news headline that read “Wainwright resigns with Blues.”)

“I’m not necessarily a very good skater, but with a little work… challenge accepted,” Wainwright tweeted with the video.

As for Molina, Wainwright said he spoke with the catcher by phone Thursday night with Molina is playing in the Caribbean series.

“I think his market was a little slower than he expected it to be,” Wainwright said. “Deep down, I don’t think teams think we’re going to leave.”

Molina is not alone.

Spring training is only two weeks away, but there are still 140 other free agents looking for contracts.

Among them is second baseman Kolton Wong after the Cardinals declined his $11.5-million option and paid a $1 million buyout.

Reports earlier this week are that Wong is getting interest from the Tigers, Mariners, Rays, Cubs and Phillies. The Cardinals are still interested, but “not actively sought reunion” Post-Dispatch reporter Derrick Goold reported.

Wong is among the best options at second base on the market but the market has been gutted by the pandemic and there’s a lot of uncertainty heading into the season.

Wong tweeted Thursday night, “Happy for you (Wainwright) at least the cardinals made one good move #don’tforgetyadi.”

Something’s gotta give.

Molina, who made $20 million last year at age 37, had been looking for more than a one-year contract.

The Cardinals have a cheeper option at second base with Tommy Edman, who can also play third or in the outfield and will be 26 in May.

Arenado, 30, is set to make $35 million in each of the next four seasons and is signed through 2026.

However, he has the ability to opt out of that contract after the upcoming season.

Opting out might not be such a good path with teams able to spend less due to the pandemic, but Arenado has stated in the past that he wants to play for a team that competes in the postseason every year.

The Denver Post has reported that Arenado and the general manager have a rocky relationship. Last offseason, when the Rockies GM said they were no longer listening to trade options with four teams, including the Cardinals, the feud become public.

Arenado is coming off his worst season due to a nagging shoulder injury. Still, in eight seasons he’s averaged 35 homers, 114 RBIs.

Having that bat and defense paired with Paul Goldschmidt can easily get fans excited, but the reality is the club may have a better option in the minors in Nolan Gorman, No. 38 on the MLB’s Top 100 prospects lift. Reports are the Rockies are interested in Gorman and left-hander Matthew Liberatore, No. 37 on the prospects list.

Giving up Randy Arozarena (for Liberatore, among others), who became a star at Tampa Bay last season, and Luke Voit, who led the Yankees with 22 homers, might be a good reminder to trust the scouting department.

At the same time, with Wainwright and, possibly Molina, ending their long careers in St. Louis, a win-now mentality might be a tipping point, along with the economic impact of the pandemic.

At least one piece of the puzzle is in place.

“I’m just really glad that it worked out the way it did because I’m coming home,” Wainwright said. “I love being a St. Louis Cardinal.”