After winning just 71 games in 2023, the St. Louis Cardinals entered the offseason with a high priority on overhauling their pitching staff. So far, the front office has added several arms, such as Sonny Gray, Lance Lynn, and Kyle Gibson.
But that doesn’t mean the Cardinals are done adding to a group that ranked 12th in the National League in ERA a season ago. There’s still plenty of work to be done in the bullpen as well.
Fans worried about the current state of the relievers in St. Louis can rest easy, as the Cardinals are still working the free agency market and could even dip into the Japanese talent pool for more reinforcements.
According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Cardinals met with Yuki Matsui on Thursday. Matsui is a 28-year-old left-handed relief pitcher from Japan who also happens to be a five-time NPB All-Star. Matsui has recorded 236 saves while compiling an ERA of 2.43 across 10 seasons with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
While he may not be the biggest name available on the Japanese free agency market, from the looks of it, Matsui’s stuff will play just fine in MLB too.
While the Cardinals are the first team known to have hosted Matsui, chances are, St. Louis won’t be bidding against themselves here. The Boston Red Sox are just one of nine teams who have scouted the lefty reliever in recent times.
Matsui became the youngest pitcher in NPB history to record 200 saves, accomplishing the feat at the age of 27. Now, he could parlay his successful career playing at the highest level of baseball in Japan into a career in MLB too.
Related: Tyler Glasnow traded to Los Angeles Dodgers: 3 winners and losers