It's not even winter yet and the Cardinals Hot Stove League is burning red hot about Matt Holliday. He was an expensive mid-season rental. The Cards gave up top prospect Brett Wallace in order to get Holliday. Holliday gave the Red Birds some good Pujols protection during the regular season. He didn't give the team much in the playoffs, not to mention that missed fly ball. The Cards were 3 and done.
Make no mistake. Scott Boras will do everything in his power to drive up the price of Holliday. Right now he is comparing him to Mark Teixeira. Teixeira signed an 8 year $180 million dollar deal with the Yankees. Can the Cards afford that? Probably. There is enough money coming off the books with the departure of Glaus, Greene and others. And now there is word out of New York and Boston these teams may look at other options besides Holliday. The Yankees are rumored to be considering new deals for both Damon & Matsui. "The Evil Empire" can resign both of those aging players for less money than Holliday. That would leave extra money for New York to go after John Lackey. The Red Sox apparently want to lock up Jason Bay. Bay would also cost the Sox less than Holliday, giving them more money to spend on others.
All of that should actually drive the price down on Holliday and improve the Cards chances of landing Holliday. That then begs the question.. should they? My short answer is no, not if it messes up team finances. Don't get me wrong. I'd like to see Holliday back in St. Louis. You have to get to the playoffs before you can win the Series. Then you are playing short series and anything can happen. Holliday can help get us there. But I wonder if the money could not be better spent.
What could this team do with a guy like Chone Figgins. He's usually plays second base or third, but has also played some outfield. He would give the Cards a legitimate leadoff batter. He hits for good average, has a good on-base percentage, and steals bases. That also gives you some third base insurance incase Freese falters. Assuming the starting staff is Carpenter, Wainwright, Lohse and Garcia, you need to add another arm. I'd have no problem with Smoltz on an incentive laden deal. I'd also like to see the Red Birds get a power arm for the bullpen as a setup man and Franklin insurance. Rafael Soriano comes to mind, or maybe one of the closers who are entering the free agent market. Can all three be had for Holliday money? I don't know. But a team like this would be very strong from a pitching standpoint and fun to watch play. A few less homers and a few more stolen bases could be a very good thing.
And if you don't like that idea, how about resigning Mark DeRosa instead of Figgins. That gives you more power and less steals. It still gives you some third base insurance.
It's not even winter yet and the Cardinals Hot Stove League is buzzing about Matt Holliday. He was an expensive mid-season rental. The Cards gave up top prospect Brett Wallace in order to get Holliday. Holliday gave the Red Birds some good Pujols protection during the regular season. He didn't give the team much in the playoffs, not to mention that missed fly ball. The Cards were 3 and done.
Make no mistake. Scott Boras will do everything in his power to drive up the price of Holliday. Right now he is comparing him to Mark Teixeira. Teixeira signed an 8 year $180 million dollar deal with the Yankees. Can the Cards afford that? Probably. There is enough money coming off the books with the departure of Glaus, Greene and others. And now there is word out of New York and Boston these teams may look at other options besides Holliday. The Yankees are rumored to be considering new deals for both Damon & Matsui. "The Evil Empire" can resign both of those aging players for less money than Holliday. That would leave extra money for New York to go after John Lackey. The Red Sox apparently want to lock up Jason Bay. Bay would also cost the Sox less than Holliday, giving them more money to spend on others.
All of that should actually drive the price down on Holliday and improve the Cards chances of landing Holliday. That then begs the question.. should they? My short answer is no, not if it messes up team finances. Don't get me wrong. I'd like to see Holliday back in St. Louis. You have to get to the playoffs before you can win the Series. Then you are playing short series and anything can happen. Holliday can help get us there. But I wonder if the money could not be better spent.
What could this team do with a guy like Chone Figgins. He's usually plays second base or third, but has also played some outfield. He would give the Cards a legitimate leadoff batter. He hits for good average, has a good on-base percentage, and steals bases. That also gives you some third base insurance incase Freese falters. Assuming the starting staff is Carpenter, Wainwright, Lohse and Garcia, you need to add another arm. I'd have no problem with Smoltz on an incentive laden deal. I'd also like to see the Red Birds get a power arm for the bullpen as a setup man and Franklin insurance. Raphael Soriano comes to mind, or maybe one of the closers who are entering the free agent market. Can all three be had for Holliday money? I don't know. But a team like this would be very strong from a pitching standpoint and fun to watch play. A few less homers and a few more stolen bases could be a very good thing.
If you don't like that idea, how about resigning Mark DeRosa instead of Figgins. That gives you more power and less steals. It still gives you some third base insurance.
And one other thought about signing Holliday to a long term deal. Besides trying to negotiate with Albert in a couple of years, Adam Wainwright is going to be due a huge payday soon. That's one arm I want kept in St. Louis. How much money do you want tied up in a 34 year old outfielder when you have those two negotiations on the horizon?
Brian Barthold
