MLB: Cardinals Can Take Different Approach in Getting Blake Snell From Padres

(Photo : Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - Blake Snell (#4) of the San Diego Padres delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium.

The St. Louis Cardinals are expected to go after a pitcher in the offseason, and several names are on the table. At the top of the list is Blake Snell of the San Diego Padres, someone who has been making waves this MLB season.

The All-Star pitcher is reportedly at the top of the list of the Cardinals, per USA Today. Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak revealed that they are eyeing three starting pitchers ahead of the 2024 MLB season, MLB beat writer John Denton tweeted.

However, the Cardinals are not the only team pursuing the 30-year-old player. The Los Angeles Dodgers was listed as an option for Snell, someone who could also fit the team, according to MLB Insider Mark Feinsand.

Will the Cardinals spend for Snell?

Aware that Snell has options, a bidding war may ensue. However, the Cardinals have been known not to get into bidding wars, although their current predicament is quite different.

After trading away Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery while at the same time setting the bar on the quality of pitchers they are looking for, it will be interesting if St. Louis makes an exception.

Snell prefers staying in San Diego

Yet another twist in the Blake Snell case is the southpaw wanting to stay in San Diego once his current deal with the Padres expires, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reported.

Unfortunately, money matters may prevent that from happening. Following their spending spree this year, it will be interesting if San Diego would be willing to shell out big money to keep Blake Snell in a Padres uniform.