Happy MLB draft day!

Baseball’s draft is the least interesting of the three main ones (football and basketball) to me. That’s likely because it’s more of a crapshoot. I’m a fairly patient person, but waiting three-plus years for the typical first-round pick to make his major-league debut takes at least some allure away from the draft. Of course, I don’t mind the process working in that manner. It’s just the way it has to be.

Also, MLB and its media partners do a remarkably poor job of marketing the draft. MLB Network aired the scouting combine, which isn’t surprising given the station’s consistently good coverage. Aside from that, most wouldn’t know the (first part of) draft is today. To make matters worse, the event changes networks after just 10 selections.

So, get settled in, watch the first 10 picks on NBC and then change the channel. MLB has plenty to figure out, with the draft chief among them — and behind the looming lockout. We’ll find out if Rob Manfred is the right man for the job.

NBA

Spurs sign C Victor Wembanyama to five-year, $252 million contract extension

Let’s just get this out of the way: This deal was a no-brainer.

Well, for the Spurs, that is. Whispers emerged yesterday that Wembanyama would accept less than a max contract from San Antonio to assist the franchise with its building efforts. Presumably, that meant helping the Spurs pay Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper down the line. The NBA’s collective bargaining agreement is awfully restrictive for high-payroll teams, and San Antonio is a sure bet to become one after inking its other promising young players to lucrative extensions.

In the end, Wembanyama did sign a max deal, though it’s not a supermax. Crucially, the superstar’s decision will likely save the Spurs around $50 million over the duration of the pact.

There’s actually precedent for this within the Spurs organization. Past franchise stalwarts Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili all regularly left money on the table to help the organization pay their supporting cast. That unselfishness aided the club in winning multiple championships, and the hope is obviously that Wembanyama’s generosity, if you will, leads to similar results.

You don’t need me to tell you that Wembanyama is one of the best players in the sport. A titan of a two-way force, it’s only a matter of time until he becomes the best player in the league. In fact, it’s plausible that jump happens this year.

San Antonio is lucky to have a superstar of Wembanyama’s ilk.

Wembanyama averaged 25.0 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 blocks per game last season.

MLB

Cardinals sign 2B JJ Wetherholt to eight-year, $112.5 million contract extension

Pre-arbitration extensions in MLB are seemingly becoming more and more common. It’s easy to understand why. Clubs benefit from locking up talented young players on the long-term deals, normally at a significantly cheaper rate than they would cost several years down the line. Players benefit from securing generational wealth earlier than they otherwise would have.

There is a major caveat, however. Most players that sign these sort of contracts leave future earnings on the table. Again, that’s a major victory for the franchises that hand out the extensions, but a loss for the players. It’s understandably difficult — impossible, even — to reject over $100 million, so it’s hard to blame Wetherholt here.

Franchises should race to sign as many of their promising rookies and prospects to long-term agreements as possible. Kudos to the Cardinals for controlling one of the best in Wetherholt for the next eight seasons.

The second baseman entered this season with much fanfare, but he’s even exceeded those lofty expectations. Already arguably the best player at his position, Wetherholt has been an all-around gem for St. Louis.

He’s batting .265 with 13 home runs and 36 RBIs. While those numbers may seem modest, his defensive impact hasn’t been. Wetherholt has quickly become a Gold Glove-caliber second baseman, while also possessing the tools to play shortstop. He’s also swiped nine bases and has been caught zero times.

The Cardinals now control Wetherholt through his 32nd birthday — a huge boon for a franchise back on the upswing. It’s somewhat difficult to imagine the rookie blossoming into a superstar, but he’s perfectly good enough as is. Unlocking further power would give him limitless upside, and at 23, that’s within the realm of possibility.

Congratulations, St. Louis, on securing Wetherholt. I expect four or so All-Star appearances for him over the course of this agreement. Heck, there’s a case to be made that the rookie should be in Philadelphia next week.