Cardinals lock up Rookie of the Year favorite with megadeal

St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Cardinals lock up Rookie of the Year favorite with nine-figure extension

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Jul 10, 2026 3:54 PM ET

The St. Louis Cardinals are the newest team to hop on board with a contract extension for an up-and-coming star player.

According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, St. Louis and stellar second baseman J.J. Wetherholt have agreed on an eight-year, $112.5 million contract extension.

The extension buys out all remaining years of Wetherholt's arbitration and multiple years of free agency. Wetherholt joins a long list of rookies who have signed extensions this year before completing their first major league season.

2B JJ Wetherholt, Cardinals reportedly agree to 8-year contract extension, per multiple reports including MLB Network Insider @JonHeyman. pic.twitter.com/UgIObF95LZ
— MLB (@MLB) July 10, 2026

J.J. Wetherholt has been outstanding

Less than two seasons after being selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the MLB Draft, Wetherholt has come into the major leagues and had great success.

Entering Friday, Wetherholt has posted a slash line of .267/.362/.411, good for an OPS of .773 with 10 doubles, 13 home runs and 36 RBI.

Wetherholt leads all NL infielders with 16 Outs Above Average and is tied for second in all of baseball in that category. His 3.9 WAR ranks 1st among NL rookies and second among all rookies, only behind Kevin McGonigle.

I saw a lot of questions about my JJ Wetherholt ROY pick yesterday…

His 2026 season:

11th in MLB in fWAR
118 wRC+
12 DRS

One of the best all-around second basemen in baseball. pic.twitter.com/LozpaPIusg
— Andrew DeCeglie (@Andrew_FBB) July 10, 2026

The National League Central is full of young stars

Wetherholt, Konnor Griffin, Cooper Pratt, Jackson Chourio and Pete Crow-Armstrong. All players who are in the NL Central that have signed long-term extensions with their respective organizations before their age-25 seasons.

The NL Central may be one of the deeper divisions in baseball with young talent.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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