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

[JS04]

Olney mentioned in his article today that Bay's camp should go to the Cards and tell them they'd sign for 4/48 or 4/52..

If that were the case..wouldn't it be real difficult to turn your back on that? Bay for 12 mil a year for 4 years is all vs. Holliday for 5-6 years at 16 mil per?

I think I'd be inclined to sign Bay if that were the case..

[cpebbles]

If you're that eager to punt 3 wins for $4 million per season, why not punt another 3 wins and go with a replacement-level LF, saving another $12 million?

[Eephus Speed]

If you're that eager to punt 3 wins for $4 million per season, why not punt another 3 wins and go with a replacement-level LF, saving another $12 million?

Such as the Jason Bay of 2007, who was exactly at replacement-level that season. Whereas the worst season that Holliday has had in the last 3 years was worth 5.7 WAR (better than every season Bay has had with the exception of 2005). 20 WAR over the last 3 seasons (and 12 WAR over the last 2 seasons) vs. 6.4 WAR over the last 3 seasons (and 6.4 WAR over the last 2 seasons).

[Maclowery]

I am hoping that Mo is using Bay as a little leverage. "Hey Boras, you're not going to get more than 5/82 from us or anyone else. You have a week. We can snag Bay for 30 million less. Or do you want to sign Holliday with the Giants for 3/40? Make sure you let Matt know that Albert will be thinking of him while Matt is hitting in front of Sandoval."

I honestly expect us to get Holliday at this point. I just want Boras to let it happen already so we can figure out any other deals we have available.

[Socnorb11]

If you're that eager to punt 3 wins for $4 million per season, why not punt another 3 wins and go with a replacement-level LF, saving another $12 million?

I don't think anybody is "eager" to do it. We're almost into January. At some point you've got to move on, I suppose. It's a cat and mouse game. Who blinks first?

[Michael]

This is going to end up like Manny holdout last year. Boras is going to drag it out as much as possible. Whatever. That's fine. IMO Holliday or bust. Don't blink, Mo.

[Jocephus]

According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, free agent outfielder Jermaine Dye is drawing interest from the Yankees.
The club has previously denied interest in the veteran outfielder, but circumstances may have changed over the past month. Dye, who turns 36 in January, is coming off a down year in which he hit .190 with seven home runs after the All-Star break, so he could be a relatively inexpensive option to play left field. The Braves were reportedly considering Dye to play first base before they came to terms with Troy Glaus last week.
Source: Chicago Tribune
Related: Yankees

During an appearance at the "21 Days of Clemente" benefit in New York last week, Mets general manager Omar Minaya said the Mets are pursuing free agent outfielder Matt Holliday.
"We are pursuing Matt Holliday," said Minaya, adding that "it seems to be easier to make a deal for Jason Bay." Because the negotiations for Bay have gone so swimmingly? Originally it was assumed Bay's contract demands would be easier to swallow for the Metropolitans, but his silence -- whether it reflects his interest to play in New York or his hopes to find a five or six-year contract -- speaks volumes. With a contract for Bay in doubt, Scott Boras would love to see the Mets become a large factor in the negotiations for Holliday.
Source: NY SportsDay
Related: Jason Bay, Mets

[Fat Strat]

The Mets pursuing Holliday is not a good thing. This has dragged out long enough that Boras' strategy of waiting the market out might just work out for him. I think that we can probably stick with the Mets, though. They're just now entering the fray for Holliday. To me that says they're not willing to pay top dollar for him (read as Teixeira money) otherwise they would have been in since the beginning. I expect some movement to happen on this within the next week or two. Someone is going to blink.

[fanforever]

LOL-Omar giving a Christmas present to Boras for the lump of coal he got last year (Oliver Perez)

[Eephus Speed]

With Sheffield, Delgado and others coming off the books, it would seem the Mets could sign Holliday and a starting pitcher (or two).

I see that the Mets signed K. Escobar for $1.25M, a low-risk/high-reward signing.