Cardinals Reportedly Scouted Japanese Star Hurler; Could Big Splash Come This Offseason?

Should the Cardinals look to make a big splash this upcoming offseason?

The St. Louis Cardinals certainly could use an upgrade in their starting rotation. 

St. Louis entered the 2023 campaign with question marks about the rotation and it hasn't necessarily been sorted out yet. The Cardinals have been surprisingly subpar this season and currently are in last place in the National League Central at 31-45. The Cardinals currently have the 25th-ranked starter ERA at 4.89. 

The Cardinals have been rumored to be in the market for a new starting pitcher ahead of the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline, but at this point, the club may be in line to be sellers instead and focus on the 2024 campaign. If St. Louis turns its focus to 2024, it would make sense for the club to prioritize adding pitching in free agency this upcoming offseason. One player who could be an intriguing fit and the Cardinals reportedly recently scouted was Yokohama DeNA BayStars pitcher Shota Imanaga, according to JapanBall's Yakyu Cosmopolitan.

St. Louis was among seven big league clubs who reportedly sent a scout to watch Imanaga pitch. The Cardinals were joined by the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and Toronto Blue Jays. 

Imanaga is 29 years old and has shined for Yokohama in eight professional seasons. The lefty impressed in front of the big league clubs pitching a complete game while allowing just one earned run and striking out 10 batters. Imanaga has a career 2.96 ERA and hasn't pitched to an ERA above 3.00 in a season since 2020. At this point, there's no way for sure to know if Imanaga will be available this offseason, but the fact that seven clubs reportedly sent scouts to watch him play at least makes it seem as if there is a chance. 

If a big league club were interested in signing Imanaga he would first have to be posted by Yokohama. If he ends up being posted, he could be an interesting piece for a Cardinals team looking for pitching. Imanaga will be 30 years old during the 2024 campaign so his price tag may not be too high. Plus, St. Louis may even need pitching help more this upcoming offseason than it does not as starter Jack Flaherty reportedly could be dealt ahead of the trade deadline.

More MLB: MLB Insider Links Cardinals Star To NL East Club In Potential Blockbuster Deal Ahead Of Deadline