Second baseman Kolten Wong and the Cardinals have agreed to a five-year contract extension with a sixth-year option, the team announced. Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports that the deal is worth $25.5 million in guaranteed money.
Wong wasn’t even scheduled for arbitration until next season and was already under team control through 2019, so the deal will buy out out all three seasons of his upcoming arbitration eligibility plus his first and possibly second year of free agency. Including the sixth-year option he’s now under the Cardinals’ control through age 30.
Wong was the Cardinals’ first-round draft pick in 2011, debuted in late 2013, and spent the past two seasons as St. Louis’ starting second baseman. He’s hit .250 with 23 homers and a .677 OPS in 295 games through age 24. His offensive production has been right around average for a second baseman and he’s a plus on the bases in addition to being a very good defender. For now he’s a solid regular and if the power or plate discipline develop further he has a chance to be an All-Star.