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Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt receives lengthy $135 million contract projection originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The St. Louis Cardinals entered the 2026 MLB season with the intention of the season being a rebuilding year. But things have gone a bit differently than planned.
Even though they're tied for last in the NL Central, the team is 14-13, in the middle of a Wild Card race, and has plenty of players in the middle of breakouts. While Jordan Walker's ascension might be the headliner, another youngster is playing great, too.
Rookie JJ Wetherholt is off to a hot start this year, and amid such a strong beginning to his big-league career, Jim Bowden of The Athletic is projecting that Wetherholt could sign a $135 million extension in the near future to stay in St. Louis for a long time.
Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt receives $135M contract projection
"Approximate market value: eight years, $135 million," Bowden writes. "Wetherholt was my preseason pick for NL Rookie of the Year because I love his ability to reach base, along with his above-average power and speed."
The Cardinals have been a pleasant surprise so far this season, and the production of Wetherholt is a huge reason why 2026 has been so exciting.
He's a great defender at both middle infield spots and has been very productive at the plate and on the basepaths.
Through 27 games this season, Wetherholt has 24 hits, 21 runs scored, two doubles, five home runs, 13 RBIs, four stolen bases, 15 walks, a .238 batting average, and a .769 OPS.
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While he might not have the offensive numbers as fellow NL Central rookie Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds, Wetherholt's production has been very strong to begin his career.
The 23-year-old first-round pick out of West Virginia back in 2024 is already making his mark in the Majors, and Bowden's projection of a $135 million deal over eight years might be within reach.
St. Louis should be looking to build the core of their roster for the next half-decade or so, and Wetherholt should be a core piece of such a rebuild.
Chaim Bloom should look to get a deal done, as extending Wetherholt now on a long-term deal that takes up a few years into his normal free agency window would make a ton of sense.
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