3 pros (and 3 cons) to the Cardinals targeting 3 starting pitchers this offseason

Con: Targeting three starters could limit the quality of starters they could go after if they were focused on just one or two

Three targets means the Cardinals are dividing their resources even further in their pursuit of pitching. Whatever dollar amount they set for spending this offseason and whatever assets they are willing to trade must be enough to get three guys.

This does not mean they cannot go out and get an ace and a reliable number-two starter. It just makes it more difficult to pull off unless they truly open up their pocketbooks or are willing to part with significant trade assets. In my story on the tiers of starting pitching, I detailed what kind of starters they can get to fill each of those three rotation spots. My question is, if the top-end pitching market gets out of control, will the Cardinals bow out so they can afford to get three starters instead of just one or two?

Limiting their focus to one or two guys makes it even easier to justify the spending or assets given up for top-end pitching. Hudson and Thompson have looked good in recent weeks for St. Louis. Relying on one of them as that "third new starter" isn't a crazy idea.

This con is more of a concern because of how the Cardinals' front office has operated in the past. Ownership seems to have a scarcity mindset when it comes to spending, and it's fair to question their willingness to spend big on one starter if they need to add not just one but two more. I actually think the disaster that 2023 has been may cause ownership to finally increase salary again significantly, which would nullify this con.