Story perspectives

Cardinals lock up JJ Wetherholt with $112.5 M deal

7/11/2026

Summary

Wetherholt Signs Extension

The St. Louis Cardinals signed second baseman JJ Wetherholt to an eight-year, $112.5 million extension beginning in 2027.
The deal, with no options and a rise to $132 million, makes him the highest-paid Cardinal and the biggest pre-arbitration contract since Albert Pujols’ 2004 $100 million pact.
President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said the extension locks in the core, securing Wetherholt—who posted a .267/.362/.411 line with 13 homers, 36 RBIs and a 3.9 WAR—until age 32.

Summary

Wetherholt Excels

Wetherholt led all MLB second basemen with 12 defensive runs saved and 16 outs above average, and set a franchise rookie record with 13 home runs.
After being left off the All-Star roster, he hit a leadoff homer in the next game.
President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom and CEO Bill DeWitt III called Wetherholt's deal a cornerstone of the Cardinals’ long-term rebuild.

History

Historical Context

When the Yankees locked shortstop Derek Jeter into a ten-year, $189 million extension in 2001, owner George Steinbrenner highlighted its $18.9 million average—then the highest AAV for a player under 30. The deal followed Alex Rodriguez’s 2000 $252 million contract and echoed Nolan Ryan’s 1979 first $1 million salary, cementing a trend of long-term, high-value deals to retain young talent.

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Wetherholt Signs Extension

The St. Louis Cardinals signed second baseman JJ Wetherholt to an eight-year, $112.5 million extension beginning in 2027.
The deal, with no options and a rise to $132 million, makes him the highest-paid Cardinal and the biggest pre-arbitration contract since Albert Pujols’ 2004 $100 million pact.
President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said the extension locks in the core, securing Wetherholt—who posted a .267/.362/.411 line with 13 homers, 36 RBIs and a 3.9 WAR—until age 32.

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