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Play him at second vs. some lefties and 3rd vs. some righties and he becomes a decent guy to have around on our team. Ryan's (and Pujols') range next to him will cut down on the defensive liability. Yeah, he'll have to play short every so often to give Ryan a break, but it shouldn't be enough to really hurt the team. And since he's for the league minimum this year, I'd say it's a definite plus over Lopez.

I agree SB. He has some value at that price. But he might not be much more valuable than Tyler Greene, who costs the same. Gordo makes him sound like the piece to the great payroll puzzle.

Ah, gotcha. Yeah, I guess I read Gordo's column a little differently. I thought he was using sarcasm with the "Sweet!" reference.

I'd like to think TGreene has more value than Lugo because of his better power, but until he gets on base at a better clip I'd guess their about equal with Lugo having the experience edge.

So do we fill in $17MM for Holliday, or $15MM? I'm assuming 17, but just curious.

$17 M to be consistent with Pujol's $16 M.

Matt Holliday lf
7 years/$120M (2010-16), plus 2017 option

* 7 years/$120M (2010-16), plus 2017 option
o re-signed by St. Louis as a free agent 1/10
o 10-16: $17M annually, 17:$17M club option ($1M buyout)
o club must exercise or decline option within 5 days of end of 2016 World Series
o 2017 option guaranteed with top 10 finish in 2016 MVP vote
o $2M annually deferred without interest, to be paid from 2020 to 2029 in annual installments of $1.4M or $1.6M, depending on whether the option vests or is exercised
o full no-trade clause
o award bonuses: $0.2M for MVP; $0.15M for WS MVP; $0.1M for NLCS MVP; $50,000 each for NLDS MVP, All Star election, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger; $25,000 for All Star selection
o perks: suite on road

"suite on road"

Does this mean Mrs. Holliday will be traveling with him? Is that permitted by the club?

So, with the Schumaker signing, that should just about do it, right?

Schumaker: $2MM
Holliday: $17MM
Ludwick: $5.45MM
LaRue: $0.95MM
Penny: $9MM

That brings me to $93.375MM with 3 bench spots left to fill...I didn't add in Tyler Greene or Allen Craig.

Not necessarily; it's just a bigger room.

I'm forgetting, though - what year was it when the players started getting private rooms instead of having to have roommates? I know it was after the 60's, because Gibson and Flood were roommates on the road.

Heck, in the *really* olden days, the roommates had to share a double bed - I remember reading about one player complaining about having his roommate's eating habits because, apparently, the guy ate crackers in bed.