Cardinals Notes: Holliday, DeRosa, Smoltz

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the latest on the Cardinals…

• Goold feels that the Cardinals "will keep tabs on the Jason Bay sweepstakes even while focusing on Matt Holliday."  Like most Scott Boras clients, Holliday figures to reach the open market.  The Cards have yet to make a formal extension offer; Holliday was one of 79 free agents to file yesterday.  In another article, Goold had a nice look at eight potential Holliday suitors.
• Goold says Mark DeRosa "expressed a wish to test the open market," and the Cardinals beat writer expects the Cubs to make an offer.  I'm not sure – the Cubs are limited on funds, seemingly happy with Jeff Baker at second base, and probably seeking a left-handed bat to replace Milton Bradley.
• Though the Cardinals have maintained dialogue with John Smoltz, the veteran pitcher expects to sign later in the offseason.