That's one way to spin it, and it's certainly the Cardinals' hope, as their 2016 success will hinge, to some degree, on the production the club can get from three of those older players -- Wainwright, Matt Holliday (36) and Yadier Molina (33). Although they will be surrounded by the organization's next wave of young talent, in many ways, the three remain the heart and soul of this club.
Wainwright and Molina are the only connection to the team's 2006 World Series championship team, and the three have a combined 17 All-Star selections and 185 postseason games on their collective resume.