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Cards Interested In Holliday, Have Other Options
The Cardinals maintain interest in Matt Holliday, but they are ready to move on in case they can't re-sign him, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. GM John Mozeliak says the club won't become paralyzed as they negotiate with the star Scott Boras client.
"We have to be prepared if we can't sign him," Mozeliak said. "We need to have other options to pursue. And we do."
The GM knows that it won't be easy to replace Holliday's production if he signs elsewhere. However, the Cards would obtain a pair of draft picks if Holliday turns down arbitration to sign elsewhere. Those picks would help make up for Brett Wallace, who the Cards sent to Oakland to acquire Holliday. If the Cards let their left fielder walk, they would rely on many others to produce.
"I don't think there's one guy who can make that kind of impact," Mozeliak said.
Strauss says assumptions that the Cards will pursue Jason Bay if they fail to re-sign Holliday "may be unfounded."
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The Cardinals and Holliday are a perfect example of why teams should never trade away elite prospects for a one year Scott Boras rental player.
Posted by: BravesAllTheWay | November 10, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Do not agree with you at all...We were in a spot to make a deep run in the playoffs, it didn't work out. No regrets, If he walks we get the draft picks and will still be just fine
Posted by: stlcards16 | November 10, 2009 at 11:09 AM
What about this? Maybe I am crazy but. Could Bradley work for Cardinals? How they trade Bradley for cash. They take on his contract.
Would this work?
Posted by: holycow | November 10, 2009 at 11:17 AM
This is truly pathetic... who in their right mind would turn down $100m? Baseball players seem to be ruled by greed, that is where the problem lies. How did salaries even get to this level? Why do these people deserve to make $20m a year for playing a game? Obviously more money is better, but if I were Matt Holliday I would be perfectly happy staying in St. Louis where the fans loved me and I'd still be making superstar money.
Posted by: MetsvilleSlugger | November 10, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Pretty easy to bash a guy from the outside. Why shouldn't Holliday turn down $100 million when he can potentially get more and still be happy?
Posted by: vtadave | November 10, 2009 at 11:19 AM
holycow:Really funny you bring this up today! Although I don't see it happening! A buddy and I actually just discussed this yesterday. I really think he could thrive in St. Louis and could be solid for the Cardinals hitting in the 5 spot
Posted by: stlcards16 | November 10, 2009 at 11:20 AM
Metsville Slugger
Think about it this way. Your employer pays you a decent sun of money say 75,000. Now you happen to be above average at your profession and think you deserve more. Are you going to accept his offer or are you going to explore other options in order to paid accordingly.
Posted by: Teixiera/ARod FTW | November 10, 2009 at 11:25 AM
I was thinking about it the other day, what if Holliday signed with someone else. What would cardinals do, probably not going after any other "BIG TIME" hitters. They could get Bradley for maybe no prospects and just over $10 mil a year, which isnt horrible. I believe it would fit in your budget but I am not sure. Would that allow you to keep Ankiel? You could have Rasmus, Ludwig, Bradley and Ankiel to work around the OF. I believe it would work.
Posted by: holycow | November 10, 2009 at 11:26 AM
I think you ARE crazy holycow. I live in STL and know Bradley is an A-hole and will not fit in St. Louis. Nobody want his me,me,me attitude in the clubhouse. If he isnt happy, no one is. As for Ankiel goes, unless he takes a role as the 4th outfielder, I do not believe he should be back. I like Ankiel personally but believe he should go to someone such as the Pirates who were mentioned and try to regain his 2008 season while starting.
Posted by: mattymo30 | November 10, 2009 at 11:37 AM
"The Cardinals and Holliday are a perfect example of why teams should never trade away elite prospects for a one year Scott Boras rental player."
Yeah, have to disagree as well. (and I'm a Cubs fan)
The Birds were in a position where they knew they were going to the playoffs with a pretty strong team. They knew Holliday would be a big addition for them, and that he is the type of player that theoretically could love the city and not want to leave (happened multiple times in past). And they knew that they had an expendable over-hyped prospect which they didnt need - yes, over-hyped. His value is diminished greatly if he is forced to be a DH, and all indications point to that being the most likely destination. What is StL going to do with a DH? They cant even hide him at 1B. He is the definition of an expendable commodity.
Their trade was a really strong one, and was not the wrong one to make.
Posted by: SuzysMan | November 10, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Was anyone at Game 3 of the NLDS this year? I have been to hundreds of Cardinals games over the years and the ovation Holliday got, after making that error in Game 2, was one of the loudest and longest I have ever heard.(This includes McGwire's HR chase). Why would a player want to leave that kind of environment? The cost of living in STL is less than the big market teams. If Holliday leaves for a few million more then he is nothing more than a greedy SOB that deserves whatever he gets at his next location.
Posted by: atfm25 | November 10, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Bradley in STL? Christ, i'd pay more NOT to see that than i would pay to NOT see Adam Dunn in STL!
I've said it before and i have no doubt that i will be saying it again. With or without Holliday, the Cards will be competitive in 2010. Theres enough talent in this team, and in the Minors, to see to that. I'd much prefer to see DeRosa and Holliday join elsewhere and retain a) Payroll for next offseason and b) Let our own prospects flourish (and get some new ones in the bargain for Holliday)
Saying that, if we can get Holliday for 100-110mil i won't be complaining.
Posted by: Aranathor | November 10, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Yeah, if the market is overblown by all these rumors then Boras might have to 'settle' for something like 6/108 or 6/114 for Matt. He is just not on the same level as Texeira or Pujols in terms of value. With that said I am sure settling for 18-19mil a year will be horrible....
Posted by: hombrej | November 10, 2009 at 01:26 PM
I don't think it really matters how much Holliday liked St. Louis, Boras doesn't seem to care about anything but his cut, which is part of what is killing baseball
Posted by: cardsfan | November 10, 2009 at 02:36 PM
Don't know how accurate this is, but, someone Called into 590 The Fan, and said they saw Vladimir Gurrero (sp?) staying at the Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark. Could he be the Back up plan?!?
Posted by: John | November 10, 2009 at 02:53 PM
I don't think it really matters how much Holliday liked St. Louis, Boras doesn't seem to care about anything but his cut, which is part of what is killing baseball
Posted by: cardsfan | November 10, 2009 at 02:36 PM
Holliday hired Boras knowing the way he works. Holliday turned down 4/82 from the Rockies. He's about the money. Don't blame Boras for doing what his players want him to do....
Posted by: Lilkenny | November 10, 2009 at 03:31 PM
suzysman gets two points for the perfect comment.
and i don't want Bradley and his me first attitude in stl. and i certainly do not want his salary. He is a problematic cancer that was a bad signing before the 09 season for the Cubs, and it just turned out to be even worse for them as the year went.
If we can't retain Holliday, I expect someone internally will be playing left for the Birds next year, i.e. Craig, or even Schumaker again (although very doubtful).
But we have tons of options on what we can do moving forward. Hell Ankiel could even be back (again, doubtful).
I'm thinking you will see someone like X. Nady be signed to help.
C-Molina
1B-Pujols
2B-Schumaker/lugo
3B-Freese/Mather/low level free agent
SS-Ryan/lugo
LF-Craig/Mather
CF-Rasmus
RF-Ludwick
it isn't the ideal lineup, but it's inexpensive lineup. Allows flexibility in a lot of areas...including pitching. I have a feeling we have the cash to lock Holliday up, and I personally, think he will sign, but it won't be until Feb when he does.
Posted by: CardsFan | November 10, 2009 at 08:32 PM
I wouldn't mind giving Mather a fair shot. I was also going to mention someone like Nady, but he is a Boras Client. I think Ankiel is gone. To bad considering what the Cards went through with him. I'm actually a big Figgins fan. I wouldn't mind seeing him in a Cards lineup.
Posted by: Rehab's for quitters | November 11, 2009 at 09:51 AM
Well, If i were Matt Holliday I would stay in STL and try to win a world series next year. And yes, Why on earth would he pass up 100 million dollars? In case u didnt watch the playoffs, He cost the Cards by trying to catch the 3rd out with his penis. Yet, The cards still offer him 100 mil. He needs to redeem himself in STL....for 100 mill
Posted by: CardsFan221 | November 11, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Was anyone at Game 3 of the NLDS this year? I have been to hundreds of Cardinals games over the years and the ovation Holliday got, after making that error in Game 2, was one of the loudest and longest I have ever heard.(This includes McGwire's HR chase). Why would a player want to leave that kind of environment? The cost of living in STL is less than the big market teams. If Holliday leaves for a few million more then he is nothing more than a greedy SOB that deserves whatever he gets at his next location.
Posted by: atfm25 | November 10, 2009 at 12:45 PM
------------------
I was there. Section 241 Row 2 Seat 8. It was amazing, that guy should realize what he got was special.
Posted by: StlHolliday | November 11, 2009 at 04:02 PM