St. Louis Cardinals Eyeing Big Move to Boost 2024 Playoff Chances

• MLB

The St. Louis Cardinals, despite their recent struggles, might be making headlines soon. The team's lackluster performance this year, with a sobering 61-78 record, has positioned them at the bottom of the National League Central.

However, all might not be gloom and doom for Cardinals fans eagerly looking to the future. With an offense bursting with potential, the Cardinals are just a few strategic decisions away from reclaiming their competitive edge.

The team's Achilles heel? Their starting rotation. Insiders suggest that the Cards will be on the hunt for at least three fresh arms to bolster their lineup this offseason. One name that has been buzzing in the grapevine is Shōta Imanaga, the standout lefty from Yokohama DeNA BayStars.

Morosi Highlights Imanaga's Appeal

MLB Network's Jon Morosi recently shed light on the interest surrounding Imanaga. "Though there’s no assurance that Imanaga's posting will result in an MLB signing, industry insiders view it as a high probability, given his skill set and the surging demand for top-tier pitchers," he commented.

Imanaga's statistics speak volumes: boasting a 7-4 record and an impressive 2.57 ERA in 20 starts this season, not to mention his no-hitter achievement last year. His recent performance in the World Baseball Classic, where he gave up just two runs and struck out seven in six innings across three games, further cements his credentials.

Imanaga's knack for getting batters to swing and miss is a valuable trait that won't go unnoticed by MLB scouts. His impending market entry is fortuitously timed, with teams like the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers also reportedly eyeing new additions to their rotations.

Securing Imanaga could be a game-changer for the Cardinals. With a consistent career ERA of 2.97 over his eight seasons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league, he offers a proven track record. As the Cardinals strategize for the future, an acquisition like Imanaga might be precisely the shot in the arm they need to revitalize their 2024 postseason ambitions.