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

[Joe Shlabotnik]

BUT HE DROPPED AN EASY CATCH IN THE PLAYOFFS AND WE LOST!!!1111ONE

I look at it this way - catching a ball with your scrotum has got to be worth 18 million a year don't you think?

[clevername]

some guy on XM this morning brought up the Beltran 7 year $119 million deal and thought that might be where this ends up. Likely as 5 years guaranteed with 2 vesting years. It was pure speculation, but it sounds about right to me.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

some guy on XM this morning brought up the Beltran 7 year $119 million deal and thought that might be where this ends up. Likely as 5 years guaranteed with 2 vesting years. It was pure speculation, but it sounds about right to me.

It seems like Mo has never been shy to give out contracts that most (this board for sure) would argue is too much money. The Lohse and Pineiro contracts come to mind immediately. I think they'll sign Holliday, but I also get the feeling it might be for an amount that will make some on here quiver.

[skmsw]

some guy on XM this morning brought up the Beltran 7 year $119 million deal and thought that might be where this ends up. Likely as 5 years guaranteed with 2 vesting years. It was pure speculation, but it sounds about right to me.

It seems like Mo has never been shy to give out contracts that most (this board for sure) would argue is too much money. The Lohse and Pineiro contracts come to mind immediately. I think they'll sign Holliday, but I also get the feeling it might be for an amount that will make some on here quiver.

The odd thing is -- he has generally been willing to over-pay for low-upside "reliable" guys (the Lohse and Piniero contracts come to mind immediately). But can you think of a single example of where we paid or over-paid to nail down a high-upside "elite" guy?

I think that within the $5-10mm per year category, Mo can afford to be realistic. But I think when you get to the "double-down" category (Holliday will essentially be drawing the salary of TWO of our usual "reliable overpays"), he has yet to venture into that category. Either because he perceives it as too risky for our structure, or because those single purchases are outside his authority.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

some guy on XM this morning brought up the Beltran 7 year $119 million deal and thought that might be where this ends up. Likely as 5 years guaranteed with 2 vesting years. It was pure speculation, but it sounds about right to me.

It seems like Mo has never been shy to give out contracts that most (this board for sure) would argue is too much money. The Lohse and Pineiro contracts come to mind immediately. I think they'll sign Holliday, but I also get the feeling it might be for an amount that will make some on here quiver.

The odd thing is -- he has generally been willing to over-pay for low-upside "reliable" guys (the Lohse and Piniero contracts come to mind immediately). But can you think of a single example of where we paid or over-paid to nail down a high-upside "elite" guy?

I think that within the $5-10mm per year category, Mo can afford to be realistic. But I think when you get to the "double-down" category (Holliday will essentially be drawing the salary of TWO of our usual "reliable overpays"), he has yet to venture into that category. Either because he perceives it as too risky for our structure, or because those single purchases are outside his authority.

I can't think of the last time the Cardinals were involved in a high upside guy on the FA market. As you have mentioned, their mantra has been, "We're willing to spend on the right guy, but we're not going to spend just to spend." You've got to think Holliday is that guy, but who knows. Only time will tell.

[jim]

Not Mo, but AJ Burnett was the last marquis player we went after this hard.

[heyzeus]

I can't think of the last time the Cardinals were involved in a high upside guy on the FA market. As you have mentioned, their mantra has been, "We're willing to spend on the right guy, but we're not going to spend just to spend." You've got to think Holliday is that guy, but who knows. Only time will tell.

Since the early days of Jockety, our M.O. has been to acquire high upside guys via trade and then lock them into an extension after they fall in love with St. Louis. (It doesn't always work, of course, but it's definitely been a strategy).

[lukethedrifter]

Should have gone after the Marquis de Sade. He would have been a marquee player.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

I can't think of the last time the Cardinals were involved in a high upside guy on the FA market. As you have mentioned, their mantra has been, "We're willing to spend on the right guy, but we're not going to spend just to spend." You've got to think Holliday is that guy, but who knows. Only time will tell.

Since the early days of Jockety, our M.O. has been to acquire high upside guys via trade and then lock them into an extension after they fall in love with St. Louis. (It doesn't always work, of course, but it's definitely been a strategy).

right. I was trying to stick with Mo alone. WJ was very good at that strategy. Big Mac, DK, Edmonds, Rolen and to an extent Walker iirc all fit that bill.

[Swirls]

Not Mo, but AJ Burnett was the last marquis player we went after this hard.

What about Jason Schmidt the following year in 2006?