The St. Louis Cardinals locked down a rising young star for the long haul.
JJ Wetherholt signed an eight-year extension with the Cardinals, per MLB Network's Jon Heyman and other reports. The $112.5 million contract can increase to $132 million if he meets incentives.
The new deal, which the Cardinals have yet to confirm, does not include any options.
Wetherholt has established himself as the first-half favorite in a loaded National League Rookie of the Year race. The second baseman is batting .267/.362/.411 with 13 home runs and nine stolen bases in 87 games.
Wetherholt's 57 runs tie Kevin McGonigle -- who signed an eight-year, $150 extension in April -- for the lead among all rookies. His 3.6 fWAR ranks eighth among all position players and is the highest of anybody not selected to an All-Star roster.
The No. 7 pick of the 2024 draft has carved out a spot as a potent leadoff hitter with an assist from 14 hit-by-pitches, second in the NL to Cardinals teammate Ivan Herrera. Wetherholt could also conclude his first season with a Gold Glove, as his 12 Defensive Runs Saved lead all second basemen.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale noted that Wetherholt's extension makes him the Cardinals' highest-paid player. It's the organization's richest extension since St. Louis signed All-Star first baseman Paul Goldschmidt to a five-year, $130 million deal in 2019.