3 Last-Minute Free Agents the Cardinals Need to Sign Before Spring Training

After winning the NL Central by a comfortable seven-game margin over the Milwaukee Brewers last year, the St. Louis Cardinals have had a relatively quiet offseason. They made a big splash by signing All-Star catcher Willson Contreras in free agency, but their lack of other noteworthy moves has left their fans wanting more.

Thankfully, there's still time for the Cardinals to add to their roster before pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training this week. Here are three free agents St. Louis should consider signing before camp opens.

St. Louis Cardinals Free Agency Rumors

1. Michael Wacha, SP

The Cardinals are extremely familiar with Wacha, who spent eight seasons in their organization before moving on. Wacha was a first-round pick by St. Louis in 2012 and immediately blossomed into one of the best young starters in the National League, helping them reach the World Series as a rookie in 2013 and making the All-Star team in 2015. He's battled injuries and inconsistency since then but is coming off a terrific rebound season with the Boston Red Sox where he went 11-2 with a 3.32 ERA. The 31-year-old right-hander could provide some helpful rotation depth for the Cards, especially if longtime ace Adam Wainwright finally breaks down at age 41.

2. Gary Sanchez, C/DH

If the Cardinals want to replace some of the missing right-handed pop in their lineup following Albert Pujols' retirement, Sanchez is an intriguing option. The 30-year-old has primarily played catcher throughout his career but is probably a better fit at DH given his notorious defensive struggles. He could still fill in at backstop when Contreras needs a day off and is typically good for 20-30 homers when healthy. A two-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger winner with considerable postseason experience, Sanchez could be a sneaky-good fit for St. Louis.

3. Jose Iglesias, SS

A scrappy, defensively sound player who can also hit a little bit, Iglesias feels like the type of player who belongs on the Cardinals. The former All-Star is well-traveled at this point but plays well wherever he goes, so transitioning to a new team shouldn't be an issue for the 33-year-old. He could also provide some veteran leadership in the absence of Pujols and Yadier Molina. The Cardinals don't necessarily need Iglesias, but he's a great player to have on the roster if there's room for him.