Marcus Stroman is a potential target for the St. Louis Cardinals

Free-agent right-hander Marcus Stroman is reportedly a potential target for the St. Louis Cardinals.

The St. Louis Cardinals are going to be connected to starting pitching a lot this offseason. The names that have been linked to them include Andrew Heaney (who has already signed with the Dodgers), Max Scherzer, Steven Matz and Nick Martinez.

It’s time to add free-agent right-hander Marcus Stroman to the mix, with Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writing that “the Cardinals are looking for pitchers who they think can thrive with a superior defense behind them — which is most pitchers, but specifically sinkerballers.” He listed Stroman as a potential target on “the higher end.”

It remains unclear what kind of deal Stroman will command — there are mixed opinions throughout the league — but ESPN recently projected him to land a three-year, $48 million contract. If that is indeed the case, the Cardinals should be all over it. While Stroman has not been an ace, he is a very capable No. 2 starter and behind their elite defense, could reach fringe No. 1 type starter status.

But the Cardinals’ constant connection to starting pitching, combined with the early temperament about their pursuit of shortstop upgrades, indicates that solidifying the rotation is their primary focus to start the winter. They are unlikely to shell out $40 million annually to Scherzer — that would significantly hinder the rest of their offseason plans — but signing Stroman or another pitcher (Alex Wood?) would leave room for upgrades at shortstop, the bullpen or room to add a fourth outfielder.

Stroman, 30, posted a 3.02 ERA and 158/44 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 33 starts after sitting out the 2022 season during the COVID-19 pandemic. He has only thrown 1028.1 innings in seven seasons, meaning he does not have the same wear and tear as Scherzer or other pitchers at this stage of his career, and that may lead the Cardinals or another team to believe he has untapped potential considering his relative freshness entering his age-31 season.

Behind the Cardinals’ defense, there’s a real chance he would maximize that potential. And if the $15-16 million per season number is accurate, there is reason to believe the team will be aggressive in their pursuit to bring the right-hander to St. Louis.