Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Could Land Japanese Sensation Following Agent's Bombshell Comments

Could St. Louis be a suitor for the international star?
Nate Hagerty|
Jul 29, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A general view of Busch Stadium during the second inning of a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Jul 29, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; A general view of Busch Stadium during the second inning of a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are rebuilding, so they likely won't commit to multi-million dollar deals this offseason to boost their big-league roster.

Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak's job in his final winter as head honcho is to reduce payroll while creating more opportunities for youngsters.

However, an international sensation from Japan could soon be on the Cardinals' radar following the latest news regarding the highly coveted hurler's market.

"Roki Sasaki’s agent Joel Wolfe (who also happens to represent Nolan Arenado) talks with the media about the talented young pitcher recently posted by Chiba Lotte and opens the door for smaller market teams: 'A smaller market team might be more beneficial for a soft landing,'” St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Derrick Goold reported Tuesday.

Sasaki has logged a 28-15 record with a 2.12 ERA, 495-to-88 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 0.90 WHIP throughout his four-year career with Nippon Professional Baseball's Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan.

Fortunately for the Cardinals, Sasaki is subject to international bonus pool money restrictions, so he can't seek a lucrative free agent deal just yet, such as Shohei Ohtani's $700 million contract.

That said, St. Louis could acquire Sasaki this winter without committing to a long-term deal. This would provide the Cardinals with a player who could raise ticket sales during a rebuild while giving Sasaki a low-stress environment to adjust from the speed of the NPB to Major League Baseball.

Perhaps Lars Nootbaar, who played with Japan during the World Baseball Classic, could be a catalyst for convincing Sasaki to sign with the Cardinals this offseason.

More MLB: Dodgers Exec Pours Cold Water On Potential Blockbuster For Cardinals $260M Superstar

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Nate Hagerty
NATE HAGERTY

Nate Hagerty joined “Inside The Cardinals” as a content creator to spread knowledge about his favorite childhood team. A hometown native of Boston, Hagerty chose at an early age of six years old to follow the St. Louis Cardinals. The miraculous season of 04’ for the Red Sox did not deter Hagerty from rooting against his hometown team, nor did it in 2013 against the Red Birds. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu 

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