Update: HOLLIDAY A CARD 7yr/120 million, p178

[lukethedrifter]

The article is a great read. I still think there is a decent chance Damon ends up a Yankee, but at a relatively low price. Bay is probably pretty screwed here, because Boston is done with him and he'll end up with the Mets, where he won't put up nearly the numbers he did in Boston.

Hopefully Boras doesn't drag out Holliday's negotiations too much longer. If Damon returns to the Yankees, that is probably the last domino to fall. I still think the Braves could/should be a factor is they can unload Lowe on the Angels for some inexpensive talent, but that's a real wildcard.

I agree, it was a good read. The only part I really disagreed with was the very end, where he suggested that St. Louis might pursue Bay. They've already went on record as saying that they're not interested in him as a Holliday alternative.

I never really understand just what the point of going on record as being not interested is. Sounds pretty meaningless to me.

Well, if they don't deny interest, then everyone assumes that they ARE interested, and then the fans are angry when nothing happens.

I realize that's a pretty lame answer, but it's true.

I'm thinking about trying this socially.

Talking to someone I just met, "I just want to go on the record as not being interested in talking beyond this current conversation."

Or some woman I just met, "I want to go on record as not being interested in having a relationship with you. That said and given my status as a single male, if you want to [expletive] me then let's get it on."

[Maclowery]

Awesome, dude. Awesome.

[Michael]

I could see the cards negotiating with Bay if the corner OF market goes into a tailspin. I doubt they'd offer him more than a couple of years.

[Eephus Speed]

And so, not surprisingly, Boras grossly misread the market, and by the time the agent came down on his demands to the Yankees (to two years, $20 million), it was too late. They Bombers had already moved ahead and agreed to terms with Nick Johnson to bat second and still weren't prepared to offer Damon any more than $14 million-$15 million total.

Johnson's going to be their DH and Damon is still capable of playing an adequate LF. Who bats 2nd is irrelevant. If he can get 2/15 from the Yankees, then maybe he should fire Boras and take it. I can certainly see why the Giants and Braves would both be interested in Damon at that price. He'd be an acceptable Plan B for us.

If we land Holliday for 5/80, I'm going to laugh and laugh and laugh.

[cpebbles]

There were a flurry of signings around $3 million per win early in the offseason, which has been regarded as players taking a discount to play where they wanted. If Holliday signs for around the same amount, it would set that as the overall market, which would signify a huge pullback in free agency and would make Minaya's inevitable signing of Bay for 5 years and $75 million a fitting cap to a lousy career as an MLB GM.

[ilstu24]

And so, not surprisingly, Boras grossly misread the market, and by the time the agent came down on his demands to the Yankees (to two years, $20 million), it was too late. They Bombers had already moved ahead and agreed to terms with Nick Johnson to bat second and still weren't prepared to offer Damon any more than $14 million-$15 million total.

Johnson's going to be their DH and Damon is still capable of playing an adequate LF. Who bats 2nd is irrelevant. If he can get 2/15 from the Yankees, then maybe he should fire Boras and take it. I can certainly see why the Giants and Braves would both be interested in Damon at that price. He'd be an acceptable Plan B for us.

If we land Holliday for 5/80, I'm going to laugh and laugh and laugh.

I don't think he would sign a contract like that, if that is the case then wouldn't he sign a short term deal to be able to hit the market again?

[Hungary Jack]

And so, not surprisingly, Boras grossly misread the market, and by the time the agent came down on his demands to the Yankees (to two years, $20 million), it was too late. They Bombers had already moved ahead and agreed to terms with Nick Johnson to bat second and still weren't prepared to offer Damon any more than $14 million-$15 million total.

Johnson's going to be their DH and Damon is still capable of playing an adequate LF. Who bats 2nd is irrelevant. If he can get 2/15 from the Yankees, then maybe he should fire Boras and take it. I can certainly see why the Giants and Braves would both be interested in Damon at that price. He'd be an acceptable Plan B for us.

If we land Holliday for 5/80, I'm going to laugh and laugh and laugh.

I don't think he would sign a contract like that, if that is the case then wouldn't he sign a short term deal to be able to hit the market again?

He'd be better off with a long-term deal that offers an opt-out clause after 2-3 years. There is no guarantee that the FA market next year will be much better for those peddling their services. For one thing, the economy does not seem likely to improve significantly given prognostications about economic growth and employment in 2010. Also, Holliday was a very big FA fish in a very small FA pond in 2009. Next year's FA class looks to be considerably richer, with guys like Crawford, Lee, Beckett, Cain, Webb, Werth, Berkman, Rollins, Reyes, Inge, Hawpe, Mauer, Martinez, DeJesus, Dunn possibly available.

Actually I'd be pretty happy if the Cards signed Holliday with a long-term opt-out deal that is slightly back-loaded. Three years of him would be great, but after that it might be better for the Cardinals if he can opt out.

[Cronos]

Or some woman I just met, "I want to go on record as not being interested in having a relationship with you. That said and given my status as a single male, if you want to [expletive] me then let's get it on."

This may not be the right thread for this, but I wish I had the balls to actually use this line.

[Spider John]

I think Boras is more interested in feeding his ego than he is in doing what is best for his client. I would like to see some of his players end up playing for teams they don't want to be with.

Miklasz had a good column on this on Saturday.

[JL21]

Time is of no essence to Boras

The agent for outfielder Matt Holliday doesn't see the dwindling days on the calendar as motivation to accelerate negotiations, saying instead the market will set the pace and, to the extent they're inclined, so will the Cardinals.

Originally eager not to let Holliday discussions drag on much further than this past week, the Cardinals have said they can be patient as long as the market allows for it. General manager John Mozeliak has described how activity in negotiations with other players, such as Mark DeRosa, could force the Cardinals toward closure with Boras.

"If the market moves," Mozeliak has said, "then we have to move."

The market is also on Boras' mind.

Nothing really new in the article. Just more stuff to weigh on y'all's brains until he signs somewhere.