Jon Heyman lists St. Louis Cardinals as a possibility for Max Scherzer

CBS Sports baseball writer and MLB Network insider Jon Heyman lists the St. Louis Cardinals as one of nine destinations for free agent pitcher Max Scherzer.

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The St. Louis native, represented by agent Scott Boras, is one of the biggest names still available on the market and has yet to sign with a team. It’s doubtful that Scherzer signs with anyone before 2014 comes to an end but Heyman has some ideas where he could land.

I just can’t see Scherzer landing with the Cardinals. Would I love to see the former Cy Young Award winner in the Cardinals rotation? I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t. Nobody would pass on Scherzer joining their favorite team’s rotation but money is where I draw the line. Scherzer turned down a contract extension well north of $100 million with the Detroit Tigers so there’s no reason to think he would come cheap and sign for a hometown discount.

What Heyman has to say about the Cardinals and the free agent is this:

The hometown team hasn’t made a bold move for Scherzer, a product of suburban St. Louis and the University of Missouri. However, GM John Mozeliak met with Boras at the GM meetings and there are a few rotation questions: ace Adam Wainwright is coming off elbow cleanup, Michael Wacha was sidelined much of 2014 because of a shoulder concern and Shelby Miller was traded to the Braves. St. Louis hasn’t been one to step out in free agency (Matt Holliday is their record deal: $120 million) but they certainly have the ability to do so. Consider brilliant owner Bill DeWitt bought the team, a cash cow, for only $150 million, then sold the adjacent parking garages for $90 million, making the effective sale price a paltry $60 million. So he has the money. But does he have the inclination?

The team might have the money but are they willing to put it all on the line to get Scherzer?