Cardinals rumors: Adam Wainwright extension talks to resume?

Steve Hammond, the agent of St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Adam Wainwright, has returned from a 10-day trip to Israel. Since he's back in the United States, extension talks between Wainwright and the Cardinals could resume soon, according to B.J. Rains of 1380 AM.

It was reported earlier last month that Wainwright and the Cardinals were not close to reaching an agreement on a contract extension. While this may have been the case, the sides have continued discussions and it's not out of the question that a long-term deal is reached prior to the start of the regular season.

Last week, Bernie Miklasz of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch surmised that the Cardinals can afford a Wainwright extension considering the team's recent payroll discipline and pending influx of cash with the upcoming national TV deal. What is yet to be determined is whether or not St. Louis wants to retain Wainwright at his expected cost.

Based on the 32-year-old old's track record, Miklasz believes he'll command an agreement in the neighborhood of five years with an average annual salary north of $20 million. The right-hander maintained an ERA of 3.94 over 32 starts last season, and he owns a career mark of 3.15 with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.02.