The St. Louis Cardinals have plenty of work they need to do this offseason if they want to get back to contender status.

St. Louis was the best team in the National League Central division in 2022 with 93 wins. The Milwaukee Brewers finished in second place but were seven games behind the Cardinals. It was widely expected that the Cardinals could be even better in 2023, but things didn’t pan out for them and they won just 71 games and finished in last place.

The rival Chicago Cubs took a step forward and increased their win total by nine games from 2022 to 2023, with 83 wins. Chicago could possibly get even better this offseason and make the NL Central division much more difficult. The Cubs will reportedly pursue Los Angeles Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani this offseason, according to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.

“Ohtani, now the biggest free agent in the history of the sport, is deciding where he wants to play next, and the Cubs are again interested in courting him, according to sources familiar with the situation,” Rogers said. “Ohtani is expected to win his second American League Most Valuable Player Award when winners are announced Thursday evening. Everyone knew he could pitch, but what he’s done at the plate over the past six seasons has been eye-opening—for fans and executives alike.”

If the Cubs were to land Ohtani, it would be devastating for the Cardinals. Ohtani is arguably the best player in baseball. Even if he can’t pitch in 2024, the Cubs would still be significantly better thanks to his bat in the middle of the lineup. Ohtani will likely return to the mound in 2025 and make the Cubs even better.

It’s too early to tell if the Cubs can land Ohtani, but they were a finalist for his services before and could be again. Cardinals fans should be keeping a close eye on Ohtani and the Cubs this offseason.