Cardinals, Wainwright agree to deal for 2022

The St. Louis Cardinals and right-hander Adam Wainwright agreed to a deal for the 2022 season, the team announced.

The exact financial terms aren't yet known, but his salary will be above $15 million, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

"I don't want to be anywhere else. Who am I kidding?" Wainwright said at a press conference Friday, according to The Athletic's Katie Woo.

The agreement keeps the 40-year-old in St. Louis for a 17th season after posting a 17-7 record with a 3.05 ERA across 206 1/3 innings in 2021.

Wainwright, who was recently tabbed to start the National League wild-card game, has been an integral part of the organization throughout his career, earning 184 wins while pitching 2,375 2/3 innings.

The three-time All-Star has twice finished in the top three for the NL Cy Young, and he helped St. Louis win a World Series in 2006 after an impressive stint in the club's bullpen.

Wainwright will continue to form a battery with catcher Yadier Molina, who signed a one-year extension for 2022 with the Cardinals in August. Molina is expected to retire at the end of next season.

Wainwright said Friday he hasn't officially decided if he'll follow in Molina's footsteps and retire after the 2022 campaign, but he indicated next season could be his last.