MLB Insider Makes Surprise Suggestion About Cardinals; Could St. Louis Make Shocking Move?

Should St. Louis consider making a shocking move and adding the best player in baseball?

The St. Louis Cardinals may end up shocking the baseball work this upcoming offseason.

St. Louis certainly will be busy this offseason and likely will make at least a few moves. The Cardinals are loaded with young, offensive talent but the club desperately needs to improve the starting rotation. St. Louis has plenty of money to spend and could be just a few moves away from postseason contention in 2024.

The Cardinals likely will be extremely active and reportedly are considered as a surprise team to look out for in the upcoming Shohei Ohtani free agency sweepstakes, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden. 

"If the Cardinals are convinced that Ohtani's medicals put him back on the mound as an ace at the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025, they could decide to play in his market because they need an ace to become contenders again," Bowden said. "However, I think they're more likely to spread the money around to three starters than use it all on one -- even if it is the great Shohei."

Bowden listed the 10 most likely clubs to land the Los Angeles Angels superstar and then five surprise teams who could get involved. The Cardinals fell in the second category and would be surprising, but a move could make sense. St. Louis' offense already is good and if you could add Ohtani, it would be taken to a whole different level. Ohtani would also be the perfect ace the Cardinals need if he was healthy. The fact that he won't pitch for at least the majority of the 2024 campaign may sway the Cardinals against such a big move. 

St. Louis will be very active this offseason and Ohtani would help. The Cardinals are going to have some very tough decisions to make. 

More MLB: Cardinals Linked To Pair Of Affordable Frontline Starters To Bolster 2024 Rotation