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The Cardinals aren't a large market team by any means -- they're even eligible for the extra draft pick lottery Baseball holds for small market clubs -- but they do have a loyal fan base and owners willing to spend some cash knowing they'll make it back through on-field success. They also have a history of basically always being good and annoying to fans of non-Cardinals teams, so when a rumor appears suggesting they're looking into one of Max Scherzer, Cole Hamels, or David Price for their rotation, it's time to pay attention even if your first instinct is that St. Louis can't afford those dudes.

You can just forget about those Scherzer dreams, though, even with the Cardinals' history of pulling off moves that seem designed only to spite the other 29 fan bases. He's looking for $200 million and a long-term deal the length of which you probably won't see the Cardinals speaking of, and the main connection here is that Scherzer is a Missouri native. Like with Jon Lester asking the Braves what's up since he has a mansion down in Cobb County, this would just be a courteous, "So, how much of a discount is location worth?" discussion. The real talks could happen with the Phillies and Tigers, since the Cardinals absolutely have the prospects to make a trade for either Hamels or Price work.

Hamels would give Adam Wainwright a co-ace to work alongside for the next four years, as both pitchers are under contract through 2018. He would also be expensive, but the Cardinals, more than anyone else in the game, make viable prospects appear out of nowhere. If they want to give up kids to acquire Hamels, they will likely not miss them in the long run. Not when they, in the meantime, have Cole Hamels.

Then there is Price, who will likely set a salary record in his fourth and final year of arbitration before free agency. Like Scherzer, he's probably a candidate for a $180 million or more contract, but the Cardinals wouldn't need to worry about that by dealing for the rights to his 2015. He would cost less than Hamels in a trade, and the Tigers would likely be willing to work something out if they felt it helped them bring Scherzer back to Detroit. The Cardinals don't need any of these three, but acquiring one would certainly push them as the favorites in the NL Central even with a lineup that's weaker than usual.