Matthew Holliday is a St. Louis Cardinal
- Thread starter missouridawg
- Start date
What kind of deal? I'm assuming it was fairly pricy. Reason I ask is because supposedly Pujols is coming up for a new deal soon, and if they pay to keep him, they may not have any money for anyone else.
Complete no-trade clause.
When STL ventured into negotiations with Holliday, it was understood that whatever happens, don't spend too much money that you can't sign Pujols after 2012.
I fully expect the Cardinals to increase payroll to accommodate what Pujols wants. I kind of hope they hand him a blank check and tell him to fill it out, because he's worth it.
On a more serious note, I feel the Cards slightly overpaid for Holliday, but the need to get the deal done was pressing. Holliday is "Pujols Insurance" for three reason:
1) He guarantees (when healthy) a great hitter to back him up in the lineup for 2 years.
2) If Pujols does not sign with STL after 2012, Holliday probably won't be a bad centerpiece to rebuild around.
3) Pujols has publicly stated that he want to stay with STL for his career, as long as STL is trying to win... and signing Matt Holliday show me (and hopefully Pujols) that our management is willing to spend money to win.
For those who really keep up with baseball, watch out for the STL pitching staff next year. If Carpenter and Lohse are healthy, Wainwright is his normal self, and Brad Penny listens to Dave Duncan, it could be an amazing year for STL. Duncan has a phenomenal track record with pitching reclaimation projects and I think Brad Penny fits into his style perfectly.</p>
When STL ventured into negotiations with Holliday, it was understood that whatever happens, don't spend too much money that you can't sign Pujols after 2012.
I fully expect the Cardinals to increase payroll to accommodate what Pujols wants. I kind of hope they hand him a blank check and tell him to fill it out, because he's worth it.
On a more serious note, I feel the Cards slightly overpaid for Holliday, but the need to get the deal done was pressing. Holliday is "Pujols Insurance" for three reason:
1) He guarantees (when healthy) a great hitter to back him up in the lineup for 2 years.
2) If Pujols does not sign with STL after 2012, Holliday probably won't be a bad centerpiece to rebuild around.
3) Pujols has publicly stated that he want to stay with STL for his career, as long as STL is trying to win... and signing Matt Holliday show me (and hopefully Pujols) that our management is willing to spend money to win.
For those who really keep up with baseball, watch out for the STL pitching staff next year. If Carpenter and Lohse are healthy, Wainwright is his normal self, and Brad Penny listens to Dave Duncan, it could be an amazing year for STL. Duncan has a phenomenal track record with pitching reclaimation projects and I think Brad Penny fits into his style perfectly.</p>
He has a legit hitter behind him in the lineup, which should help his stats, and on top of that, he knows that as the face of the franchise that he is going to have to get paid more than Holliday.
Really, the biggest question I have about the Cardinals right now is third base. If Freese can stay sober and step up, that would be great. I think Tyler Greene is the other guy that's going to get a look there. I hate to lose DeRosa, but such is the economy of baseball.
Really, the biggest question I have about the Cardinals right now is third base. If Freese can stay sober and step up, that would be great. I think Tyler Greene is the other guy that's going to get a look there. I hate to lose DeRosa, but such is the economy of baseball.
being the fifth guy coming off of Tommy John surgery. Who knows? It may work out. I think Penny was a good pick up. He pitched well for the Giants late in the season.
I'd kind of like to see Jason Motte step up and be the closer. He can flat out throw gas. I saw him pitch in person last year in May, and he was flat out nasty. Needs to be a little more consistent though.
I'd also kind of like to get Smoltz back if for no other reason than insurance. He can be a fifth starter candidate or maybe pitch out of the bullpen.
I have heard that the Cardinals may sign another guy for the bullpen, and that they may take a chance on someone like a Ben Sheets. But, I don't think that they will do anything else major unless it involves a proven third baseman, which I don't really foresee.
I'd kind of like to see Jason Motte step up and be the closer. He can flat out throw gas. I saw him pitch in person last year in May, and he was flat out nasty. Needs to be a little more consistent though.
I'd also kind of like to get Smoltz back if for no other reason than insurance. He can be a fifth starter candidate or maybe pitch out of the bullpen.
I have heard that the Cardinals may sign another guy for the bullpen, and that they may take a chance on someone like a Ben Sheets. But, I don't think that they will do anything else major unless it involves a proven third baseman, which I don't really foresee.
Signed,
The Houston Astros and our massive offseason additions of Pedro Feliz, Brandon Lyon and Matt Lindstrom.
17.
The Houston Astros and our massive offseason additions of Pedro Feliz, Brandon Lyon and Matt Lindstrom.
17.
and I'm marrying a girl from Houston... and it's pretty fun to listen to their fans this offseason.
Drayton McClane/Previous GM sold their souls for Roger Clemens and Andy Pettite and now they're paying for it. Their management is terrible.. and I hear McClane is shopping the team around.
Drayton McClane/Previous GM sold their souls for Roger Clemens and Andy Pettite and now they're paying for it. Their management is terrible.. and I hear McClane is shopping the team around.
hatfieldms said:
Oh, I know that, but my point is, I'm sure Pujols's deal is going to have to be at least as sweet if not a good bit sweeter than Holliday's. That'll be a lot of money tied up in two players for a mid-market team.
After they re-sign Pujols, will they have any money left at all to sign pitching or anything else? I know that's a little exaggerated, as they'll have money, but I think it is a legit question. They won't have the ability to go out and do a whole lot else.