Cardinals may be ready to nab Holliday

November 6, 7:25 PMSt. Louis Sports ExaminerJustin Gibson

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In an attempt to provide slugger Albert Pujols with some protection, the Cardinals are reportedly making a heavy run at Rockies’ star Matt Holliday. Outfielder Ryan Ludwick is considered to be the main part of the deal, given the fact the Rocks are looking for more of an immediate impact to replace Holliday, while cutting salary.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch beat writer Joe Strauss broke the news late Thursday evening after leaving the general managers meetings. It would surely take more than just Ludwick to land Holliday. Something along the lines of prospect Bryan Anderson and pitcher Mitchell Boggs or Kyle McClellan may not be that far off. Rocky Mountain News writer Tracy Ringolsby also confirmed the Cardinals’ interest.

In addition to providing a powerful name for fans to get excited about, Holliday also serves as a dominating fourth hitter behind Pujols — far more intimidating than Ludwick based off name recognition alone.

This past season, Holliday, 28, hit for a .321 average with 25 home runs and 88 RBI’s. He also held a .409 on base percentage with a .947 OPS. He is due $13.5 million in 2009, but according to Strauss, the Cardinals would be willing to look at a deal to extend the all-star.

Coming into a walk-year in his contract, it would be foolish for the Cardinals not to delve deep into what it would take to sign Holliday to an extension and if there is even mutual interest. Holliday’s agent, Scott Boras, may complicate the issue with his tendencies towards driving players to hit the free agent market to make the big bucks.

Holliday balked at the idea of resigning with the Rockies earlier this year for a deal four years in length. He is seeking a six or seven-year deal. If the Cards were to nab Holliday via trade and looked to extend his contract, would that spell the end for Pujols in St. Louis? For a team that is so budget-minded as the Cards, it may be a possiblility if the situation were to come up.

Many baseball analysts have questioned Holliday’s home and road splits, citing the very hitter-friendly Coors Field as a possible distortion in Holliday’s numbers. Upon learning of the deal on his radio show on 1380am, Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz was one to question the potential move because of this, and possibly justly so.
 

If the acquisition of Holliday becomes a reality it leaves the Cardinals with approximately $6-7 million to fill holes in the bullpen, middle infield and potentially starting pitching — not a whole lot. Hopefully, if the Cardinals are willing to make a big move to bring in Holliday the organization makes sure to do their research on the future of the organization as well.