Cardinals are said to have met with an elite free agent closer to discuss a potential signing.
ESPN: After one of the most intriguing relievers up for grabs in the……
Reportedly, St. Louis is interested in signing one of the most intriguing free agency relievers out there.
The St. Louis Cardinals appear to be seriously considering upgrading their bullpen.
After a dismal 2023 season, St. Louis’ biggest question mark going into the summer was the starting rotation. The Cardinals signed Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson prior to the Winter Meetings, demonstrating their serious attention to the position.
The bullpen is the next area the team has to strengthen, as the rotation has been addressed. Due to extra strain brought on by the troubles in the rotation, St. Louis had one of the weakest bullpens in the league last season.
It sounds like the Cardinals are serious about improving it and intend to sign one of the most fascinating pitchers out there. Yuki Matsui of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and St. Louis allegedly met to discuss a potential trade, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
“Yuki Matsui, a five-time NPB All-Star lefty reliever, visited the Cardinals in St. Louis on Thursday, per sources,” Feinsand stated. “The 28-year-old has 236 saves and a 2.43 ERA in 10 seasons with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and is considered one of the better free-agent bullpen options.”
From his 2014 debut with the Golden Eagles, the 28-year-old has emerged as one of Nippon Professional Baseball’s greatest relief relievers. Over his ten professional seasons, Matsui has amassed 236 saves with an astounding 2.43 ERA, including 39 in 2023 alone.
Matsui was a standout player for the Golden Eagles the previous season, pitching 57 1/3 innings with a pitiful 1.57 ERA in 59 games. The southpaw would be a great addition for the Cardinals given he hasn’t had an ERA over 2.00 since 2020.
