Cards lock up Wainwright

The St. Louis Cardinals, in what may be the smartest re-signing of one of their own players since Albert Pujols several years ago, have inked on the rise pitcher Adam Wainright to a new four-year contract at the bargain price, in today’s baseball world, of $15 million.

The deal is also friendly to Wainwright in the longer term, with two option years that could up the contract to $36 million.

The 26-year-old Wainwright went 14-12 with a 3.70 ERA in his first year in the rotation after serving as the closer in the 2006 World Series. His win total is the best in franchise history for a first-year starter, and his 2.71 ERA after the All-Star break was third-best in the National League.

The deal is heavily backloaded. It includes a $750,000 signing bonus with salaries of $500,000 this year, $2.6 million in 2009, $4.65 million in 2010 and 6.5 million in 2011. There are club options at $9 million in 2012 and $12 million in 2013.

A great deal to give long-term stability to the starting rotation. Now, addressing the middle infield for the longer term is the next step.