One offseason move each MLB team needs to make

St. Louis Cardinals: Land the big one

The Cardinals tried valiantly to hand out $200 million to both David Price and Jason Heyward prior to the 2016 season but came up empty in their pursuit. St. Louis settled for Dexter Fowler last offseason, but he is not the type of player who can carry a team. The Cardinals need to continue their pursuit of a big free agent this winter.

The best fit for the Cardinals this year is Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer. A potential suitor, the Yankees, may be out of the running now with the return to grace of their own young first baseman, Greg Bird. St. Louis is one of a few teams with a big need for a first baseman and the means to sign Hosmer to a $180-200 million deal.

Hosmer would be an ideal fit for a Cardinals clubhouse that had some issues absorbing new players this year. He was the leader of the Royals, albeit a quiet one. The only problem is that there may not be an ideal fit for Hosmer in the crowded Cardinals infield. Three-time All-Star Matt Carpenter played first base last season. If St. Louis is able to add Hosmer, Carpenter would shift back to second or third base with Jedd Gyorko and Kolten Wong splitting playing time.

St. Louis still has the players in place to get back to the postseason after being absent two years in a row. The offense let them down in the first half, but the pitching was solid. They are one bat away from having the horses to make a serious run at the Cubs for the division title.