RetroSimba

The Cardinals acquired Adam Wainwright from the Braves in the belief he would develop into an ace for them.

On Dec. 13, 2003, the Cardinals traded outfielder J.D. Drew and catcher Eli Marrero to the Braves for pitchers Jason Marquis, Ray King and Wainwright.

Describing Wainwright as the key player of the trade for the Cardinals, St. Louis general manager Walt Jocketty told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Without him, there wasn’t a deal.”

At the time, Wainwright, 22, was a prospect who posted a 10-8 record and 3.37 ERA for Class AA Greenville (S.C.) in 2003. In 149.2 innings for Greenville, Wainwright walked 37 and struck out 128.

“Adam is our No. 1 pitching prospect,” Braves general manager John Schuerholz told the Associated Press.

Said Jocketty to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch: “We see him as a top-of-the-rotation kind of guy in a couple of years.”

Bad Braves investment

Some thought the Cardinals had given up too much in dealing Drew. In retrospect, Jocketty took advantage of the Braves, who were desperate to replace the run production supplied by departed free agents Gary Sheffield in right field and Javy Lopez at catcher.

“That was tough to do,” Schuerholz said of including Wainwright in the deal. “But, under the circumstances, we had no choice.”

(Drew and Marrero each would play one season for the Braves. Drew departed through free agency for the Dodgers. Marrero was dealt to the Royals.)

“The Cardinals believe Wainwright strengthens a nucleus of young pitching that includes Blake Hawksworth, Tyler Johnson, Chris Narveson and Danny Haren,” the Post-Dispatch reported.

Baseball America magazine said Wainwright had “an ideal combination of size, talent and makeup. He started working off his 92 mph to 93 mph fastball more often at midseason and the positive results were immediate. He also throws a hard curveball and a solid changeup … He has a great work ethic and is one of the most intelligent pitching prospects … He needs to continue to gain confidence … He tends to be too fine with his pitches instead of challenging hitters.”

La Russa right for Waino?

Bernie Miklasz, Post-Dispatch columnist, endorsed the deal, though he was concerned whether manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan were best-suited to develop a young arm.

“The Cardinals, who already had invested more than $15 million in Drew, couldn’t afford to gamble additional substantial revenue on his ambivalence and fragility,” Miklasz wrote. “Wainwright is a legitimately bright prospect and a potential steal for the Cardinals, but if Duncan and La Russa are around beyond the 2004 season, it may not matter because they can’t develop young pitchers. Perhaps young Wainwright will be nurtured and saved by the next regime.”

At Class AAA Memphis in 2004, Wainwright was 4-4 with a 5.37 ERA when elbow discomfort caused him to discontinue throwing in June.

He was 10-10 with a 4.40 ERA in 29 starts for Memphis in 2005, though he led the Pacific Coast League in innings pitched (182) and was second in strikeouts (147).

Contrary to concerns, Wainwright was eased into his first big-league season in 2006 by La Russa and Duncan. Used exclusively in relief, Wainwright led all St. Louis relievers in holds (23) and strikeouts (72). In the postseason, he was 1-0 with four saves and 15 strikeouts in 9.2 scoreless innings.

Previously: Cardinals’ trade of J.D. Drew proved bold, brilliant