Projecting a Blockbuster Cardinals-JJ Wetherholt Contract Extension

The St. Louis Cardinals opted to enter a rebuild this season, which resulted in players like Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras being traded, while the Cardinals are set to lean heavier on prospects like JJ Wetherholt.

Wetherholt is the top prospect in St. Louis this year and he's one of the top prospects they've had in a long time. He's already gotten off to a hot start in the big leagues, homering in his first game with the Cardinals.

He's reportedly open to a contract extension with St. Louis, as the division rival Milwaukee Brewers and Pittsburgh Pirates recently locked up a few of their best young prospects. But what would the Cardinals need to give Wetherholt to keep him in St. Louis?

Projected Deal: Eight years (2027 through 2034), $130 million

This projected deal is based on Roman Anthony's eight-year, $130 million deal last season. Anthony and Wetherholt are similar in a few ways. Both are talented top prospects with the potential to lead their respective team into the future. The Pirates are reportedly giving Konnor Griffin a nine-year, $140 million deal, which could be similar to what Wetherholt would ask for.

Why the Cardinals would benefit

St. Louis Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt — Mar 29, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) leaps over second base after forcing out Tampa Bay Rays left fielder Chandler Simpson (14) during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

A deal like this would help set up the future of the Cardinals in a big way. If they can make a deal like this happen, they wouldn't have to worry about signing Wetherholt through pre-arbitration or arbitration. They would be extending his team control into a few years of free agency, too.

The Cardinals have cleared a lot of payroll over the last year, so they could even opt to front-load this contract, which would allow them to pay more of it right now instead of backloading it like teams typically do. Either way, it would be the kind of move that would move the Cardinals toward a bright future.

Why JJ Wetherholt would benefit

Apr 1, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) leaps and catches a line drive hit by New York Mets second baseman Jorge Polanco (not pictured) during the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

This contract would give Wetherholt the stability that most young players need for nearly a decade. He would be one of the highest-paid prospects in league history. Rather than playing for less than a million dollars per year for the next few seasons, he could be playing for over $10 million. This would still allow him to hit free agency during his best years in about eight years. He could end this $130 million deal and look to sign another big one when he gets to free agency.

Either way, it would be the perfect way to commit to the team that drafted him.