Adam Wainwright's offseason woes continue. After undergoing elbow surgery in October, the right-hander left spring training today to be examined for abdominal pain. Will the Cardinals now ramp up efforts to land another elite starting pitcher in a trade?
According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Wainwright is returning to St. Louis to see Dr. Michael Brunt at Washington University regarding the abdominal pain that has limited his spring training workouts. The Cardinals' ace was already limited this offseason as he was recovering from minor surgery to trim a small piece of cartilage in his throwing elbow.
"I would say (the level of concern) is a medium at this point," general manager John Mozeliak told Goold. "...We want him to see a specialist so we have a better idea."
With Wainwright already on a delayed throwing schedule, his latest ailment could further affect his ability to be ready for Opening Day. If the Cardinals receive bad news from Dr. Brunt, they might explore the trade market and look to acquire a pitcher, especially since the long-term health of fellow starter Michael Wacha is largely unknown.
Earlier in the offseason it was reported the team was considering trade options for David Price and Cole Hamels and also looking at signing Max Scherzer, so we know they're likely open to the idea of making a fairly big move. The Phillies perhaps have the most interesting options with Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee, both of whom are left-handers, which the Cardinals have none of in their projected starting five.
Hamels is going to cost a lot, and Mozeliak knows that because he's been one of the general managers that have been in talks with the Phillies throughout the offseason. It's possible the two sides enter serious talks about Hamels if the news about Wainwright is bad, but what about acquiring Lee?
The 36-year-old left-hander is said to look superb so far in spring training after making only 13 starts in 2014 due to a flexor pronator strain in his throwing elbow, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Lee would cost much less in a trade and would be a far less significant contractual commitment compared to Hamels, who is owed at least $100 million over the next four seasons. Lee is owed $25 million in 2015 and has a $27.5 vesting option for 2016 (if he throws 200 innings and doesn't hit the DL with an elbow/shoulder injury in 2015) or a $12.5 million buyout. It's not cheap, but it's also not a long-term commitment.
"It is well known Lee badly wants to play for a winner, even if he won't say anything out of school here in spring," writes Heyman. "He is focused on winning as much as anyone can be, but like others around here, he is shocked by the steep slide [of the Phillies]."
If Lee performs well throughout spring training and Wainwright sees a setback in his recovery process, this could be a potential trade option for St. Louis.
