Cardinals: Insider Katie Woo predicts blockbuster signing for St. Louis

In a recent piece on The Athletic, Katie Woo predicted a big signing is coming for St. Louis.

The Cardinals have been off to a busy start to their offseason, already revamping their coaching staff and planting seeds for big moves this winter, and Cardinals insider Katie Woo is buying into the buzz that St. Louis will make a major upgrade this offseason.

In a recent piece on The Athletic (subscription required) where their MLB staff made offseason predictions for each of the 30 clubs, Woo had this to say about the Cardinals offseason.

"John Mozeliak stated multiple times throughout his end-of-season press conference the Cardinals’ payroll will increase heading into 2023. The Cardinals aren’t a cheap organization by any means, but the front office has operated rather conservatively over the last few offseasons in terms of free agency. Based on their 2022 attendance and the revenue generated from the final seasons of Molina and Albert Pujols, I predict the Cardinals end up landing a blockbuster free agent. St. Louis could use upgrades at shortstop and in the rotation as well as at catcher. This looks like the winter they’ll finally be in a position to cash in. – Katie Woo"

If you have followed Woo at all since she began covering the club for The Athletic in 2021, you’ll know that is both well connected in her sources and is not one to overreact to hype or buzz surrounding potential moves. For her to go out on a limb and predict a blockbuster move means there is at least smoke there, and she gives plenty of reasons as to why a significant move could happen.

John Mozeliak has said on numerous occasions now that the payroll is increasing. The Cardinals front office is typically not one to put public pressure on themselves to spend, so if Mozeliak is doing so like this, it means they are serious about spending. Their willingness to potentially acquire Juan Soto this summer showed they were willing to add significant payroll as well, adding fuel to this fire.

This free agent class boasts major upgrades at all three places the Cardinals could realistically due so – catcher, shortstop, and the rotation. The need is there, the club is ready to take the leap, and the payroll flexibility is available. All signs are pointing to major upgrades coming soon both in free agency and the trade market.