Fansided

Top 25 MLB free agents for 2019

By Joshua Sadlock

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros celebrates retiring the side during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 15: Gerrit Cole #45 of the Houston Astros celebrates retiring the side during the sixth inning against the New York Yankees in game three of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 25
Next
ST. LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 06: Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals tips his cap to the fans as he leaves the game in the top of the eighth against the Atlanta Braves during Game 3 of the NLDS between the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sunday, October 6, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO – OCTOBER 06: Adam Wainwright #50 of the St. Louis Cardinals tips his cap to the fans as he leaves the game in the top of the eighth against the Atlanta Braves during Game 3 of the NLDS between the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on Sunday, October 6, 2019 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

23. Adam Wainwright

At 38, St. Louis Cardinals legend Adam Wainwright was somewhat able to slow the sands of time and turn back the clock for at least one more strong season. The big right-hander went 14-10 with a 4.19 ERA in 171.2 innings of work. Before yielding 11 runs in 9.1 innings in his final two starts of the year, Wainwright had been riding a 10-start hot streak with a 2.43 ERA in 59.1 innings.

Wainwright’s strong performance carried over to the playoffs, where he allowed only three runs in 16.2 innings with three walks and 19 strikeouts. He looked like vintage Wainwright carving up the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS. There isn’t much left in the tank, but there’s still something for the three-time All-Star.

It took Wainwright over three years to recover from his freakish Achilles injury suffered while batting. He had a 4.77 ERA in 362.1 innings from 2016 to 2018 and made only eight starts in 2018 due to elbow inflammation. Wainwright’s career had looked to be on track for the Hall of Fame before he became beset by injuries. If there’s anyone who’s got a strong argument for the DH in the National League, it’s Adam Wainwright.

If the 2019 season had not gone well, then Wainwright’s career would most likely have been done. Now, he’ll get at least one more year if he wants it. Wainwright’s peak was one of the best of his generation, as he went 103-53 with a 2.87 ERA from 2008 to 2014 with two 20-win seasons and four top-three finishes in the NL Cy Young vote.

Home/MLB