Cardinals: 3 bigger names to sign after Steven Matz move

After the Cardinals have signed Steven Matz off the market, here are 3 free agents St. Louis can sign to strengthen their 2022 roster.

After the surprising firing of Mike Shildt, the St. Louis Cardinals are continuing to stun the league with bold offseason acquisitions.

On Wednesday, the Cardinals signed Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Steven Matz to a four-year, $44 million contract.

While the signing angered Mets owner Steve Cohen, signing the lefthanded mid-rotation starter comes across a solid move by the Cardinals to strengthen their pitching crew. Still, the St. Louis team has moves to make.

Here are three players the Cardinals can sign right now to strengthen their 2022 roster even more as the team aspires for another playoff appearance.

Max Scherzer

Max Scherzer to the Dodgers was a massive mid-season storyline, especially as Scherzer propelled the team deep through NL playoffs.

While the Dodgers failed to run it back this year, Scherzer still has plenty left in the tank. The 37-year-old remains on the market, but that may not be the case for long. There is reportedly “mutual interest” between the Cardinals and Scherzer’s camp, and it’s a move that makes plenty of sense.

Scherzer grew up in Chesterfield, Missouri, and spent his youth as a St. Louis Cardinals fan. The nostalgic pull of home could make a compelling case for Scherzer to move back to where he grew up, not to mention the Cardinals ended the year with 90 wins and 72 losses.

The question then becomes about whether or not the Cardinals can afford to pay Scherzer the record-setting deal he desires. A projected contract could look like three years for $120 million, which is a substantial sum as the team stocks up on talent.

If the Cardinals can make Scherzer happen, they’ll land one of the best players of the offseason who will be enthusiastic about winning with his new team.