Cardinals reward new ace with contract extension before Opening Day

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed Miles Mikolas to a contract extension less than a week before his Opening Day start.

Miles Mikolas made a career-high 33 starts last season, just two years removed from surgery on his flexor tendon. The 34-year-old was rewarded for his rare durability with an Opening Day start and contract extension.

Mikolas was slated to test free agency after this season. To keep that from happening, the Cardinals gave Mikolas a $3 million raise this season and a $5 million signing bonus. His new deal will pay him $40 million in 2024 and 2025 combined.

While his strikeout rate took a hit last season, Mikolas is adjusting well to baseball life in his mid-30’s, as his decreased velocity hasn’t impacted his game beyond K rate. If anything, he’s gotten better, decreasing his walk rate and increasing his ground ball rate. Mikolas limited the hard contact against him with an improved pitch selection — something he’ll now have to continue without legendary Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina.

Cardinals sign Miles Mikolas to contract extension

With Adam Wainwright on the injured list, Mikolas will make just his second Opening Day start. St. Louis’ rotation could use some work beyond Mikolas, who made his second All-Star team in 2022. Jordan Montgomery, Jack Flaherty and Steven Matz all have question marks associated with them heading into the year.

The Cards hope they receive some much-needed support from the bottom of the rotation and depth starters like Matthew Liberatore, Jake Woodford and Gordon Graceffo, but that’s far from guaranteed.

St. Louis could be shopping for pitching help at the trade deadline yet again this season — something fans wish they would’ve addressed long-term by now. Extending Mikolas is a good start, but it is hardly the answer to their problems.