Cardinals, rookie JJ Wetherholt agree on long-term contract extension
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 10, 2026, 7:05 PM
Last updated Jul 10, 2026
The St. Louis Cardinals have reached an agreement with rookie second baseman JJ Wetherholt on a long-term contract extension, as reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan on July 10. The deal is expected to buy out multiple years of Wetherholt's free agency. At 23 years old, Wetherholt is already making an impact and joins the ranks of rookies signing nine-figure contracts. Further updates on the deal may follow as details emerge.
- •Wetherholt is 23 years old and has had a strong rookie season.
- •The contract will buy out several years of free agency.
- •This deal signifies the team's commitment to building around young players.
- 6:00 PMYahoo Sports — Jeff Passan to social media troll: ‘Stop gooning and learn ball’
- 9:52 PMESPN — Sources: Cards' Wetherholt gets $112.5M deal
- 8:16 PMYahoo Sports — Cardinals reportedly agree to an 8-year, $112.5M extension with JJ Wetherholt
- 8:05 PMYahoo Sports — Cardinals agree to an 8-year, $112.5M extension with JJ Wetherholt, AP source says
- 8:04 PMYahoo Sports — St. Louis Cardinals sign rookie 2B JJ Wetherholt to big 8-year extension
- 8:02 PMCBS MLB — JJ Wetherholt extension: Cardinals reportedly lock up standout rookie on $112.5 million deal
- 7:14 PMYahoo Sports — Report: St. Louis Cardinals in Agreement with Extension for JJ Wetherholt
- 7:05 PMYahoo Sports — Cardinals, rookie 2B JJ Wetherholt reportedly in agreement on '9-figure' long-term extension
"The St. Louis Cardinals and JJ Wetherholt have agreed to an eight-year, $112.5 million extension that buys out the rookie second baseman's first several years of free agency, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday. The Cardinals picked Wetherholt seventh overall out of West Virginia two years ago in the first-year player draft, and he rocketed through their farm system. The 23-year-old made his major league debut on opening day and was hitting .267 with 13 homers and 36 RBIs and nine stolen bases going into Friday night's game against the Atlanta Braves.
"ESPN’s Jeff Passan delivered breaking news on Friday that the St. Louis Cardinals have signed star rookie JJ Wetherholt to a “nine-figure contract” extension that will “buy out multiple years of free agency.” BREAKING: Rookie standout JJ Wetherholt and the St. Louis Cardinals are in agreement on a long-term contract extension that will buy out…
"We don’t know details yet, but MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a long-term contract extension with JJ Wetherholt. It’s based on a report by Jeff Passan. Yahoo Sports reports it’s a “9-figure extension”. More details will be added once we learn the details of the contract. Stay […]
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 11, 2026, 6:00 PMJeff Passan to social media troll: ‘Stop gooning and learn ball’
ESPN’s Jeff Passan delivered breaking news on Friday that the St. Louis Cardinals have signed star rookie JJ Wetherholt to a “nine-figure contract” extension that will “buy out multiple years of free agency.” BREAKING: Rookie standout JJ Wetherholt and the St. Louis Cardinals are in agreement on a long-term contract extension that will buy out…
- ESPNJul 10, 2026, 9:52 PMSources: Cards' Wetherholt gets $112.5M deal
Infielder JJ Wetherholt and the Cardinals are in agreement on an eight-year, $112.5 million contract extension, sources told ESPN
- Yahoo SportsJul 10, 2026, 8:16 PMCardinals reportedly agree to an 8-year, $112.5M extension with JJ Wetherholt
The reported extension buys out the rookie second baseman’s first several years of free agency.
- Yahoo SportsJul 10, 2026, 8:05 PMCardinals agree to an 8-year, $112.5M extension with JJ Wetherholt, AP source says
The St. Louis Cardinals and JJ Wetherholt have agreed to an eight-year, $112.5 million extension that buys out the rookie second baseman's first several years of free agency, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday. The Cardinals picked Wetherholt seventh overall out of West Virginia two years ago in the first-year player draft, and he rocketed through their farm system. The 23-year-old made his major league debut on opening day and was hitting .267 with 13 homers and 36 RBIs and nine stolen bases going into Friday night's game against the Atlanta Braves.
- Yahoo SportsJul 10, 2026, 8:04 PMSt. Louis Cardinals sign rookie 2B JJ Wetherholt to big 8-year extension
St. Louis Cadinals rookie JJ Wetherholt, ranked as the top defensive second baseman this season, has a new deal worth $112.5 million over eight years.
- CBS MLBJul 10, 2026, 8:02 PMJJ Wetherholt extension: Cardinals reportedly lock up standout rookie on $112.5 million deal
Wetherholt is the favorite for National League Rookie of the Year
- Yahoo SportsJul 10, 2026, 7:14 PMReport: St. Louis Cardinals in Agreement with Extension for JJ Wetherholt
We don’t know details yet, but MLB Trade Rumors is reporting that the St. Louis Cardinals have agreed to a long-term contract extension with JJ Wetherholt. It’s based on a report by Jeff Passan. Yahoo Sports reports it’s a “9-figure extension”. More details will be added once we learn the details of the contract. Stay […]
- Yahoo SportsJul 10, 2026, 7:05 PMCardinals, rookie 2B JJ Wetherholt reportedly in agreement on '9-figure' long-term extension
The deal will buy out multiple years of free agency, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
- Yahoo SportsJul 10, 2026, 7:05 PMCardinals, rookie 2B JJ Wetherholt reportedly in agreement on 8-year, $112.5 million extension
The 23-year-old infielder has shown the makings of a star during his first season in St. Louis.
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