3 moves Cardinals should make after missing on Max Scherzer
By Mark Powell
Cardinals rumors: Does Marcus Stroman fit make sense?
As recently as last week, the Cardinals were in on Stroman. That’ll likely only intensify with the Mets taking Scherzer off the board, and Stroman’s asking price should go up as well.
The Cardinals won’t be the only team seeking a pitcher of Stroman’s caliber. With an excellent defensive infield — including Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt at the corners — signing a sinker-baller like Stroman makes a lot of sense. The right-hander had a 3.02 ERA and 1.15 WHIP last year in Queens.
FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray believes Stroman is an ideal fit in the Cardinals rotation:
"“It’s time to add free-agent right-hander Marcus Stroman to the mix, with Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writing that ‘the Cardinals are looking for pitchers who they think can thrive with a superior defense behind them — which is most pitchers, but specifically sinkerballers.’ He listed Stroman as a potential target on ‘the higher end.'”"
The Cards rotation is lacking behind Adam Wainwright, who continues to defy age, free agent signing Steven Matz and returning ace Jack Flaherty. J.A. Happ and Jon Lester, who the Cardinals acquired at the deadline, are free agents as well. Essentially, there’s plenty of work to be done, and the Cards should start by signing Stroman. Now.