Cardinals rumors: Adam Wainwright extension not close

There have been reports of negotiations between the St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander Adam Wainwright involving a long-term contract extension. However, general manager John Mozeliak told reporters, including Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com, that the Cardinals and Wainwright aren't close to reaching an agreement.

Mozeliak said both parties seem to have "similar goals," and left the door open to working towards an agreement.

Wainwright is set to enter the final year of his current contract. The 31-year-old will earn $12 million this year, and he and the Cardinals have expressed interest in reaching an agreement on an extension that would keep him in St. Louis well beyond 2013.

While some players set deadlines for discussing contracts, Langosch reports that Wainwright and his agent haven't presented the Cardinals with such a date. This would indicate that the right-hander is willing to continue negotiations into the regular season, if needed.

Wainwright made his major league debut in 2005 and became a regular starter for the Cardinals in 2007. He's been one of the most consistent pitchers in the majors, garnering Cy Young consideration in 2009-10 when he went 39-19 with a 2.53 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.48.