St. Louis Cardinals ‘Linger’ In The Hunt For Jon Lester

Jon Lester would be an intriguing addition to the St. Louis Cardinals. Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal says the Cards remain “lingering” in the hunt for the pitcher.

According to Drew Silva at Hardball Talk, “at least” six clubs have an interest in the lefty. Including the Braves, Cubs, Red Sox and Cards. New to the mix, however, is the possibility of the New York Yankees.

"The Yankees have denied that they’re going to make a big push in free agency, but Rosenthal writes Sunday that “the entire sport is bracing for them to snap to attention, as they always do.” Lester, 30, had a 2.46 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 220/48 K/BB ratio in 219 2/3 innings this past season between Boston and Oakland. … It sounds like he’s going to top $150 million."

I gotta tell you… another starter, with proven stuff would be nice to see. Adam Wainwright had surgery last month to help an ailing elbow, already surgerized. Michael Wacha had shoulder issues to end his season. So who knows how he is now or will be in the spring. John Lackey? He’s got an edge and all but I’d love to see more of that edge. Plus. He’s not getting any younger. Shelby Miller was always a wild card in how he’d pitch and got himself traded this week along with Tyrell Jenkins for Jason Heyward and Jordan Walden. Jaime Garcia? He’s good when he’s healthy, but when is that? Marco Gonzales and Carlos Martinez? They are good but young and still trying to find themselves, really. Martinez will come off an incredibly emotional off season in which he lost his best friend and teammate, Oscar Taveras. And Gonzales was used an awful lot at the end of the season and the playoff run. Not bad, but you get concerned about exposing a young guy.

So. Again.

Another pitcher with proven stuff that can eat up some innings would be nice. If they could get Lester and or Max Scherzer, I wouldn’t complain. Unless it was costly. And then I’d complain, but only a little!

Pitching is really important, after all.