Two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal has been linked to multiple teams in MLB free agency. The New York Mets are among the favorites, while a return to the Los Angeles Dodgers remains realistic. Other ball clubs such as the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays are also in the conversation. Could the St. Louis Cardinals shock the MLB world and sign Skubal, however?

It's certainly an unlikely development. The Cardinals are not known for spending big in free agency. The team is also still rebuilding its roster. Former big league pitcher Kyle Gibson believes St. Louis should at least consider the idea of making a Skubal free agency pursuit, something he explained on Foul Territory.

“A Skubal does not come around very often so when he's available, if you think you're gonna go for a top of the line guy when it's time, why not do it now? Sure, is he gonna help the team make up a 10-win gap? Probably not,” Gibson said. “But players getting better, full year of some of these starters, that's how I look at it. If we're not far away, then he's a guy that you should be in on.”

The idea may seem absurd at first, but Gibson's logic actually makes a lot of sense.

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If the Cardinals believe they can compete within the next couple of years, there is a chance that they will attempt to make a big splash in free agency within the next couple of offseasons. It isn't often that arguably the best pitcher in baseball becomes a free agent, though. Going all in on a Skubal pursuit would give the Cardinals their ace for years to come.

In all reality, St. Louis probably isn't going to sign Tarik Skubal. Still, Gibson's idea is intriguing.