Lars Nootbaar’s connection with Yoshinobu Yamamoto

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The Cardinals are armed with tens of millions of dollars to offer free agent pitchers this offseason, and they’re also highly motivated to change their fortunes for 2024 after a ’23 season where they slumped to 71-91 and last place in the central ranking of the National League. .

However, their biggest strength in recruiting weapons that will be the difference in St. Louis to ensure they compete for the World Series again might be a guy who was recently seen roaming around Japan with a bob, a mask and sunglasses to protect his identity.

No, nothing bad happened. It was simply the Japanese hero of the World Baseball Classic and the outfielder for the Cardinals. Lars Nootbaar trying to keep a low profile and avoid a crush of autograph requests and selfies while spending two weeks in the country on a recent promotional tour.

A Cardinals club with just two starting pitchers under contract for 2024 – right-hander Miles Mikolas and left-hander Steven Matz – is looking for “volume” in terms of pitch this offseason, president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said last week during the general managers’ meetings in Scottsdale, Arizona. A potential target for the Redbirds could be Japanese firefighter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and that’s where the endlessly likeable Nootbaar comes into play.

Not only were Yamamoto and Nootbaar teammates and friends on the Japanese team that defeated Team USA in the WBC championship match, but they also have very close family ties that could come into play as the Cardinals try to attract the 25-year-old athlete. -former St. Louis right-hander.

“I want to help Yoshi in any way I can,” Nootbaar said after recently returning from a trip involving autograph signings, speaking engagements and meetings regarding possible publicity opportunities. “I don’t know the legality of this and I don’t want to step on any toes, but if Yamamoto or any of the guys have any questions, I want to be there to help.

“My mom talks to (Yamamoto’s) mom every day,” Nootbaar continued. “I went to see him pitch his first playoff game and sat with his mom during the game. We talked a little bit, but I couldn’t tell her anything that she didn’t already know because my mom had already informed her (about Nootbaar playing for the Cardinals). Yoshi and Roki Sasaki, the flamethrower and the toddler, our moms all talk daily. I have a great relationship with both of those guys, and now that Yoshi is coming to MLB, I’m talking to him a little more and plan to see him again later this offseason.

While Shohei Ohtani is undoubtedly the best free agent on the market this offseason, Yamamoto might be the best free agent on the market. second most sought after talent due to his abilities as a dominant pitcher. Last season for the Orix Buffaloes, the two-time Pacific League MVP was 17-6 with a 1.16 ERA and 176 strikeouts in 171 innings. He also performed well under WBC pressure, going 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA while striking out 12 batters in 7 1/3 innings in two games.

Nootbaar, who had a Cardinals-best .367 on-base percentage in 2023, along with 14 homers and 46 RBIs, is confident Yamamoto’s players will play well at the MLB level.

“A lot of times at NPB they just try to put the bat to the ball and pray for a (high level). batting average on balls in play), but Yoshi throws that splitter at 89-91 (mph), then it falls off the table,” he raved. “This is legitimate and truly disgusting speech. He’s really good.

“Good” is one way to describe the hero’s welcome Nootbaar received upon his arrival in Japan. Joel Wolfe, executive vice president of Wasserman’s baseball division, accompanied Nootbaar on the promotional tour and said he was blown away by how Japanese baseball fans adored the Cardinals outfielder.

“We joked that traveling with Lars was like traveling with Justin Bieber,” said Wolfe, who noted that Nootbaar was negotiating with Adidas and Mizuno to become the face of their baseball advertising in Japan. “At first, people didn’t really notice him and didn’t think it was really him. But then when we walked the streets of Tokyo, he had women and older men asking, “Nootbaar?” Nootbaar? Lars was so nice to them. … (Nootbaar’s) face is everywhere. In Japan, with stadium signage, Ohtani is everywhere, but we’re starting to see Nootbaar a lot everywhere.