The St. Louis Cardinals have declined Kolten Wong’s $12.5 million option, making the Gold Glove second baseman a free agent.

The 30-year-old Wong will receive a $1 million buyout. Wong, a first-round pick in the 2011 draft, made his big league debut in 2013 and spent his first eight seasons with St. Louis.

Wong hit. 265 with a homer and 16 RBIs in 53 games during the pandemic-shortened season, helping the Cardinals make the playoffs for the second straight year. They were eliminated by San Diego in the NL wild card round.

Wong won his first Gold Glove last year. He is a finalist again this season, with the winner announced on Tuesday.

Wong is only one year removed from perhaps his best season in St. Louis, batting .285 with 11 homers, 59 RBIs and a career-high 24 steals in 2019. He is a .261 hitter with 53 homers, 281 RBIs and 88 steals in 852 career games.

While leaving the door open for a reunion with Wong, Mozeliak also mentioned giving Tommy Edman a shot at second base.

Mozeliak also said he has been in contact with the representation for pitcher Adam Wainwright and catcher Yadier Molina, two longtime Cardinals stars who became free agents on Wednesday. He plans to talk to their agents again this week.

First baseman Paul Goldschmidt had a bone spur taken out of his right elbow, and Mozeliak said he is progressing very well.