MLB Rumors: Latest Contract Buzz on Shohei Ohtani, Adam Wainwright

As the MLB postseason approaches, a spotlight shines brightly on prominent MVP candidate Shohei Ohtani and celebrated pitcher Adam Wainwright, with their statuses with their current teams in question as contract talks loom large.

For Ohtani, recognition of his talent is a major focal point; Wainwright, one of the most beloved Cardinals in their long history, hopes to finish his career with the team he has been with since 2005.

Where do negotiations stand with each player entering the most interesting stretch of the baseball year?

Wainwright, Cardinals 'Encouraged'

The idea of Wainwright signing a long-term contract at this point in his career is highly unlikely.

In January, the right-hander signed a one-year, $8-million deal to keep him around for 2021. That is the most likely path to keeping the veteran with the team, and both the 40-year-old and the Cardinals are "encouraged by introductory negotiations and are hopeful they’ll agree on a contract in the near future for the veteran’s return," according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Dispatch.

Wainwright recorded his 2,000th strikeout, becoming the 85th player to do so, on Sept. 23.

His ERA (3.05) is as low as it has been since 2015, he has thrown in three complete games and added a shutout in 2021. He is unlikely to out-throw anyone at this stage of his career, but he is a wily pitcher, an asset to the dugout and one of the city's most beloved sports stars.

Letting him walk does not seem to be an option for a team that could use his leadership as it prepares for a postseason run. Veterans like Wainwright, who have been with the organization through all of its playoff successes and disappointments, are invaluable.

That talks have already begun and the early takeaways are positive is a good thing for the team and a player whose career should wrap up with the Cardinals.

Winning as Valuable as Money to Ohtani

No contract extension conversations are currently ongoing between the Los Angeles Angels and American League MVP front-runner Shohei Ohtani, according to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.

Even if they were, the finances of any deal will take a backseat for the 27-year-old in favor of the team's ability to put together a winning clubhouse.

"I really like the team. I love the fans. I love the atmosphere of the team. But, more than that, I want to win. That’s the biggest thing for me. I’ll leave it at that," Ohtani said after Sunday's loss to Seattle.

"It’s very frustrating, very disappointing. I always look forward to being in the playoff race at the end."

The Japanese player has had a monumental year, hitting 45 home runs at the plate and amassing 183 strikeouts on the mound. He has been equally excellent in both offense and defense; an all-world player for a team with two of them (Mike Trout being the other), and no MLB playoff wins between them.

Free agency awaits Ohtani in 2023 if he and the Angels cannot come to an agreement on a new deal before then. For L.A., the idea of letting that happen is inconceivable. Generational players cannot be manifested or grown in a farm league, and Ohtani is such a player. Sign him up, pair him with Trout and build around that nucleus.

The alternative is wasting two of the greatest players of their generation.