Cardinals rumors: Adam Wainwright extension talks continue

Contract extension talks between the St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander Adam Wainwright are ongoing, according to Rick Hummel of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. While general manager John Mozeliak has "nothing of substance to report," he did say that the matter would "ideally" be settled by Opening Day.

Mozeliak is encouraged by the fact that negotiations have continued. He added that he believes "both parties would benefit" if a resolution occurred prior to the start of the regular season.

While that may be the case, neither side has announced a deadline. Wainwright has said he would be willing to continue discussions into the 2013 campaign, while Mozeliak has drawn "no line in the sand." The GM did say that you don't usually see teams reach extension agreements with players in April and May, but he added that there isn't any reason talks couldn't be revisited at the All-Star break.

Wainwright, who will turn 32 this season, is believed to be seeking a five-year extension. Bernie Miklasz, Hummel's colleague at the Post-Dispatch, believes St. Louis can afford an extension, which he thinks would cost the team upwards of $20 million per season.

Wainwright owns a career ERA of 3.15 with a strikeout-to-walk ratio (SO/BB) of 3.02, and he maintained a 2.53 ERA with 3.48 SO/BB during the 2009-10 seasons.