I'm a big Cards fan, and I think this is a big signing. I really didn't think they'd spend the dough to keep him. However, I think they overpaid big time and I think its too long of a contract. I really don't think he had a lot of other good options based on who was in the market for a big-time big money outfielder. I figured they could squeeze him down a little. Based on quick math, he's making more than Pujols, which I guess is understandable considering how old Pujols' contract is, but it doesn't seem right. I just have this sinking feeling that Holliday is going to be one of those guys who they end up trying to unload in a few years with his mack-truck of a contract. I just don't see him being productive for most of the 7 years, but i hope I'm wrong. I'm excited to see what the Cards can do with him for an entire year making people pitch to Pujols.
I'm surprised that the Cards seem to have ended up bidding against themselves for Holliday, since I didn't hear a hint that anyone else was willing to spend anything like this amount of money over this amount of years. It's especially surprising given how everyone says that players love to play in St. Louis.
St. Louis is gonna have a tough time building a competitive team if they don't commit to increasing payroll, because they'll have to pay Pujols and Wainwright pretty soon. Those deals plus Holliday will leave very little money to spend on filling out the lineup if they keep their current payroll structure.
The Cards seem pretty good at having a couple of marquis, big money players and putting together some utility guys around them that are inexpensive but relatively effective. They are good at making chicken salad out of chicken shit. This Holliday contract will make it even harder though. The guy I hope they can keep around is Molina at catcher. He is a huge part of their success, even though he doesn't have flashy offensive numbers.
I agree. Dave Duncan has quietly been the best pitching coach in baseball for a long, long time; drawing great numbers out of guys like Kyle Lohse and Joel Piniero really helps keep you afloat. Also I totally agree about Yadier Molina. He calls a beautiful game and he's probably the best defensive catcher in baseball. Plus, if you can't be a great hitter it's good to be a clutch one.
La Russa is an excellent manager. Although he does tend to over-manage occasionally. Still, I've always been happy with him. The Cards are perennial contenders. I wouldn't change a thing, except maybe to have a Yankee-type payroll.
I wish one of the things (as a Marlins fan) I could complain about was spending TOO MUCH money, haha.
