The St. Louis Cardinals are demonstrating a strong interest in securing infielder JJ Wetherholt with a long-term contract extension. The team has been impressed with Wetherholt’s performance since his debut, prompting discussions about a new deal.

Trend of Early Extensions in MLB

This strategy of extending young players early in their careers is becoming increasingly common across Major League Baseball. Teams like the Milwaukee Brewers, with Jackson Chourio, and the Boston Red Sox, with players like Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell, and Garrett Crochet, have successfully utilized this approach.

Recent Examples of Significant Deals

Notably, the Brewers extended Jackson Chourio and another player before they even reached the major leagues. The Red Sox have also handed out extensions to players shortly after their MLB debuts. Recently, a player received an offer potentially reaching $130 million before making his big league debut.

Wetherholt's Early Impact

JJ Wetherholt has already made a positive impression at the major league level. As of late March, he is slashing .300/.348/.450 with one home run, four RBIs, and one stolen base in a small sample size of games.
"The Pirates made a record offer for a minor leaguer to 19-year-old phenom Konnor Griffin… and sources say the Cardinals are trying to extend multitalented infielder JJ Wetherholt in what looks like the year of the rookie,"
reported Jon Heyman. He also noted that rookies have demonstrated strong offensive performance early in the season, driving teams to secure their top prospects.

Potential Contract Details

The Cardinals are considering a deal potentially exceeding the recent extension given to another young player, Emerson. Emerson’s deal, worth up to $130 million, serves as a benchmark. A potential eight-year, $100 million contract with an option to reach $140 million is being discussed as a fair offer for Wetherholt, given his current performance and the market for young talent. Waiting longer could increase the cost of securing Wetherholt’s services.