By Matthew Leach / MLB.com 12/03/09 9:40 PM EST A report out of Vicente Padilla's native Nicaragua on Thursday posited that the Cardinals may be the favorites to sign the free-agent pitcher, and while it's not that far down the road, the potential for a match does exist. According to a story in La Prensa out of Managua, the Cardinals and Cubs are the leaders for the veteran righty. A source confirmed that the Cardinals do find Padilla a pitcher of interest but indicated that he's not the only starter on the team's radar. In some ways, Padilla makes sense for St. Louis. The Cardinals are seeking a veteran starter to put with Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Kyle Lohse, while expecting to give their fifth spot to an organizational pitcher such as Jaime Garcia or Mitchell Boggs. Padilla has enjoyed some strong years in the National League but likely would carry a lower cost than some of the top names on the market. Moreover, he shut down the Redbirds in the National League Division Series, a performance that surely caught the eyes of many in the organization. On the other hand, the La Prensa report suggests that Padilla is seeking a multiyear deal, and that might render him a non-starter with St. Louis. The Cardinals have made it no secret that they are reluctant to give another long-term contract to a starter. One tidbit worth noting is that Padilla and Joel Pineiro are both represented by agent Adam Katz. Pineiro was offered arbitration earlier this week and has until Monday to accept or decline. If Pineiro accepts, it's quite certain that the Cardinals would cease pursuit of a veteran starter. --

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