Cardinals Reportedly Still Linked To Star Pitcher In Free Agency Despite Massive Price

Could the Cardinals still end up landing the top free-agent starting pitcher this offseason?

The St. Louis Cardinals already have added three starting pitchers this offseason but it sounds like it could be in the mix to land another.

St. Louis entered the offseason hoping to land at least three starters. The Cardinals had one of the worst seasons in team history last year and the rotation was a major reason why.

The Cardinals already have added Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson this offseason, but reportedly are still linked to Orix Buffaloes phenom Yoshinobu Yamamoto, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

"Japanese starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto may be the most popular free agent ever — at least among big-market clubs — and that’s why execs are predicting he may cost the signing team as much as $300 million, including the posting fee," Heyman said. The original estimate for Yamamoto, who’s only 25, was $200 million.

"But in addition to the (New York Mets) and (New York Yankees), who both seem hopeful, the (Los Angeles Dodgers), (San Francisco Giants), (Chicago Cubs), Cardinals, (Boston Red Sox), (Philadelphia Phillies), (Arizona Diamondbacks), and (Detroit Tigers) all are linked to Yamamoto."

Yamamoto is the most sought-after free agent this offseason -- aside from two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani -- and the Cardinals have been mentioned as a fit on numerous occasions.

It has been unclear if the Cardinals would meet his asking price, but it's interesting that they are still being mentioned with him. A move certainly is unlikely after landing three starers already, but is a possibility. 

St. Louis is in an intriguing spot and if it could somehow land Yamamoto immediately would be considered favorites in the National League Central. 

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