Cardinals Reportedly Showing Interest In Elite Free Agent Closer To Bolster Bullpen

The Cardinals reportedly are looking to land an elite closer this offseason

It sounds like the St. Louis Cardinals are looking to add an elite bullpen arm this offseason. 

St. Louis has plenty of holes to fill this offseason and another dependable arm in the back of the bullpen certainly could help -- especially after trading away fireballer Jordan Hicks ahead of the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline. While it's still too early to truly gauge who the club will have interest in, St. Louis reportedly is interested in landing Tohoko Rakuten Golden Eagles closer Yuki Matsui, according to Yahoo Japan. 

Matsui is 27 years old and has spent 10 seasons playing with the Golden Eagles in the Nippon Professional Baseball League. He has racked up 236 saves in his career in Japan and has a minuscule career 2.43 ERA. The lefty has been even more impressive over the last few seasons, as well. Matsui tallied 39 saves in 2023 while pitching to an impressive 1.57 ERA.

In 2022, Matsui compiled a 1.92 ERA in 53 appearances while recording 32 saves. He was even more dominant in 2021 with an eye-popping 0.63 ERA in 43 games with the Golden Eagles. 

While the Cardinals certainly will have competition for Matsui this offseason -- Yahoo Japan mentioned clubs like the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees also have shown interest -- St. Louis has been mentioned as one of the favorites for him because of its fanbase and the fact that outfielder Lars Nootbaar is with the club. 

St. Louis has plenty of work to do this offseason and landing Matsui would be a good way to start shoring up the bullpen.

More MLB: Dodgers Linked To Cardinals Star Nolan Arenado In Possible Offseason Blockbuster Trade