Cardinals Reportedly Interested in Hyun-Jin Ryu

Hyun-Jin Ryu is one of the best pitchers remaining on the free agent market this offseason. He had a career-best 5.3 WAR in 2019 and led the league with a sterling 2.32 ERA.

Ryu's tremendous 2019 campaign has left him with plenty of suitors on the open market as he prepares to enter his age-33 season. That reportedly includes a contender in the St. Louis Cardinals, per Jon Morosi.

Miles Mikolas is set to make nearly $17 million in 2020. After that, the team does not have a lot of money invested in the starting rotation. Adam Wainwright is back on the books for $5 million and Jack Flaherty, who is a Cy Young candidate in 2020, is still in his early years of team control. Dakota Hudson, who boasts a lot of upside, is also in the early stages team control.

Ryu would instantly step in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Flaherty. The Cards are searching for a fifth starter to fill out their rotation alongside Hudson, and Ryu would fit the mold perfectly. He'd also bring a left-handed arm to the Cards' pitching staff, something they currently lack.

The Cardinals managed to win the NL Central in 2019 and will have their sights set on repeating that feat in 2020. The addition of Ryu would make that a real possibility for Mike Shildt's side.