The St. Louis Cardinals locked up a big piece of their future Friday, signing rookie second baseman JJ Wetherholt to an eight-year extension.
The contract, which begins next season, is worth $112.5 million in guaranteed money, sources told The Athletic's Katie Woo. Wetherholt can max out the deal at $132 million through performance incentives, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. It does not contain any opt-outs or club options.
The agreement delays Wetherholt's eventual free agency by three seasons.
"Since joining the Cardinals two years ago, JJ has impressed in every aspect," Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said in a statement obtained by Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "He is a dynamic player who produces in every facet of the game and a true professional who is consistent, prepared, and hardworking."
He added, "JJ is a very important part of what we are building, and we look forward to winning together for many years."
The 23-year-old is batting .267/.362/.411 with 13 homers, 36 RBIs, and nine steals across 395 plate appearances this season. His 3.6 fWAR is tops among all NL rookies, and he also leads all qualified second basemen in both defensive runs saved (12) and outs above average (16).
St. Louis selected Wetherholt with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft out of West Virginia and gave him a $6.8-million bonus. He appeared in just 138 minor-league games before making the big club out of spring training in March.
The Cardinals entered Friday holding a 48-44 record while sitting third in the NL Central.
Wetherholt is the latest star rookie to sign a nine-figure extension before completing their first season in the majors. Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin and Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle both did so in April.
