Yankees rumors: 3 Yoshinobu Yamamoto backup plans after Brian Cashman's comments
By Curt Bishop
2. St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals are another team that was failed by their pitching in 2023. Fortunately, they are expected to be in the running for Yamamoto.
St. Louis has shied away from spending big on pitchers for several years. But they have no choice but to do so in order to contend in 2024 following a 91-loss season.
One thing that could give St. Louis an advantage is Yamamoto's close relationship with star outfielder Lars Nootbaar. He and Nolan Arenado traveled to Japan last month to see Yamamoto's playoff start with the Orix Buffaloes.
Like Boston, St. Louis lacks a true ace to head up its rotation, and that is something they should be looking to add after their first losing season since 2007. Yamamoto would be just that if the Cardinals can pull off a signing such as this.
The Cardinals are also targeting a wide array of other starters and exploring several possible avenues to adding pitching to their roster. Pitchers such as Sonny Gray, Aaron Nola, Blake Snell, Dylan Cease, and others could be had in trades and in free agency.
It ultimately depends on which path the Cardinals choose to take this winter.