Offseason Priority #1 Sign Ichiro

Offseason Priority #2 Sign Taguchi

Offseason Priority #3 Sign Darvish

Offseason Priority #4 Sign Otani

2018 could be the year of the Japanese invasion of St. Louis. Imagine a world in which the Cardinals convinced Shoehei Otani to come to the United States and takeover the game of baseball. Playing everyday in right field while simultaneously performing the functions of closer and occasional ROOGY to mix up hitters.

I think it possible and here is how.

Sign Ichiro. He can be the 5th outfielder and another coach. Sure we have plenty of Outfielders already but he would be a great addition to mentor other players and it give us more trade chips.

Sign Taguchi. So, this one is not as important, but it would be cool to bring him in as an additional mentor to Otani.

Sign Darvish. We have the money, just do it.

Sign Otani.

Convince Otani he is the last piece of the puzzle.

Japanese people would flock to St. Louis and invigorate the local economy, It would also make St. Louis be the ideal destination for future Japanese Stars.

Use glut of outfielders to acquire prospects, arms, or depth.

Package Piscotty, Bader, Flaherty, Voit, and Gant to Kansas City for Dan Duffy and Kelvin Herrera

Here is how I see it shaking out:

Lineup:

1B-Carpenter

RF-Fowler

CF-Pham

LF-Otani

SS-DeJong

3B-Gyorko

C-Molina

2B-Wong

Bench

Ichrio

Grichuk

Martinez

Garcia

Diaz

Rotation

Darvish

Martinez

Duffy

Weaver

Wainwright/Reyes

Bullpen

Otani - Closer #1

Herrera - Closer #2

Lyons

Wacha

Cecil

Bowman

Brebbia

Tuivalala

I miss baseball!