Little has been said regarding the Cardinals’ free agent signings other than, “glad we got Holliday back,” but one more signing could haveset them in a far better position regarding their pitching staff.

A proven winner, Chien-Ming Wang, was on the market until just recently after being signed by the Washington Nationals.

Wang, a previous two-time 19-game winner for the New York Yankees, has proven his ability to pitch, when healthy, in the tenacious American League East. Previously with the Yankees, Wang injured himself running the bases in Arizona, and has struggled each of the last two seasons, only making a total of 24 starts.

Despite health issues, Wang looks as if he’s recovered from his right shoulder strain and bursitis he suffered last season, and is in good form for the upcoming campaign.

The Cardinals signed the always-dangerous Brad Penny this offseason for $7.5 million base salary, with a $1.5 million possible incentive bonus.

Penny struggled early on last season with Boston, but was sent to the Giants, where he returned to old form, managing a 4-1 record in six starts. His struggles in the AL East are what shipped him right out of town.

Wang, who has won many games in the AL East, slipped out of the Cardinals’ grasp without even a consideration.

Hesitation on the side of the Cardinals, as well as many other teams, allowed Washington to snatch Wang up, for a humble $2 million base salary with an additional million in possible incentives.

It looks as if, with the current payroll, the Cards have about $7 million to work with, according to Matthew Leach, Cardinals MLB.com Beat Writer.

The team supposedly wanted to wait until Spring Training or later to make a move that will bolster the team at any position. The Cardinals have made it known they are seeking help in a few positions: third base, back-end rotation help, and a left-handed bat off the bench.

A main target of the Redbirds for third base help is Felpie Lopez, who had a brief stint with the Cardinals in ’08. David Freese currently sits as the favorite to win the job, who has had his own problems this offseason.

Lopez would most likely take no more than half of the remaining budget of the Cardinals, which begs the question: Why was Wang not a candidate for back-end rotation help?

Instead of looking into the possibility of signing a pitcher with proven dominance, they signed former Cub lefty, Rich Hill. 

Hill, with Baltimore a season ago, struggled mightily, recording a .500 record and a 7.80 ERA in 14 games (13 starts).

The departures of Joel Pineiro and John Smoltz left two vacant spots in the rotation, with one being filled by Penny, and the other still up in the air, and no overpoweringly strong favorite heading into Spring Training.

Wang would’ve been that favorite, had he been signed, but instead, it will be battled out by Hill, Jamie Garcia, Kyle McClellan, Mitchell Boggs and Blake Hawksworth.

For the small price to pay for Wang, the upside was tremendous, especially working with one of the most highly touted pitching coaches in the game, Dave Duncan.