It has been nearly a month since the Cardinals finalized the signing of catcher Willson Contreras and almost a month then since the Cardinals last major-league transaction.
Pending physical – a phrase that has taken on new gravity in recent weeks – the headliners from the shortstop market have signed. The top-tier starters have signed. The Cardinals have continued talks with representatives for several free agents, mostly pitchers, some of whom have signed. They had some interest in right-hander Drew Rucinski as he made his way back from Asia, but the role they could offer and the bid they made fell shy of what the right-hander ultimately got from Oakland.