Report: Cards have 2022 offer ready for Wainwright if he returns

Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina made their 300th start as a battery on Friday, and it's very possible the duo will raise that total next summer.

While Molina has already signed a one-year extension for what will be his final season, Wainwright hasn't decided on his future just yet. However, he's already held some brief discussions with the Cardinals about next year, with more to follow in the coming weeks, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

The Cardinals will be ready to offer Wainwright a one-year contract once he makes a decision, a source told Goold.

The three-time All-Star, who turned 40 this past Monday, is enjoying one of the best seasons of his 16-year career. But family considerations, and not his performance, will dictate whether he retires.

"I don't want to be the dad who missed everything," the right-hander told Goold. "I had a dad who missed everything, and I don't want to be the dad that misses everything."

"If it was just a pitching decision, then it's a no-brainer for me," he continued. "I really love what I'm doing and enjoy competing and everything about pitching. I really enjoy pitching. If I was going to tell you today, I would say I'm probably going to pitch next year. Things change real quick in this world so I don't want to get too far ahead of myself. I don't want to be one of those athletes who retires three times.

"I want to know that I know that I know."

Wainwright entered Friday sporting a 2.97 ERA - his best since 2014 - along with a 1.03 WHIP, 155 strikeouts, and a league-leading three complete games across 169 2/3 innings.

Friday's start made Wainwright and Molina the fourth batterymates since 1900 to start 300 games together, according to Sarah Langs of MLB.com. If Wainwright comes back, he and Molina would get a chance to catch Mickey Lolich and Bill Freehan (324 starts) for the all-time mark.