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

[cards2468]

Holliday hired Boras so that he can get top dollar and so that he can have his demands met.

There's a difference between JD Drew and Matt Holliday. Drew is in it for the money. Has been since college. It's clear he handed Boras the reigns and said "let's make some money".

Matt Holliday, while still wanting money, has said numerous times how much he wants a long term contract with a no trade clause so that he can actually give his family a "normal" life. It has nothing to do with faith or religion or what ever. He wants to stay somewhere for a long period of time. He doesn't care where it is, and that's where Boras comes in. If he can get him top dollar in New York or St. Louis or where ever, he wants him to pursue that with it in the back of his head that the deal must be long term and with a NTC to keep him there.

I'm calling BS. You may want to believe there is a difference, but unless you know both guys personally (I only know one), there is no basis whatsoever for the above set of assumptions.

well, Matt Holliday signed with the team that drafted him, played for them, showed willingness to re-sign but turned down an offer bc it lacked a NTC and was traded before negotiating was even able to happen

I think the Rockies were just as guilty of greed as Holliday was in that series of events.

[Faceman]

Nit-picking, but since Holliday's birthday is in January, he'd still be 36 at the end of year 7.

The problem is that if he's not worth it, he's staying. If he's worth it, he's leaving. If he's worth it, he should still be an asset to use or trade, unless the Cards get a break on the deal.

Of course, if he has a no-trade clause, trading him could be virtually impossible. Especially if he's declined.

For me, it really boils down to when the opt-out clause goes into effect. 1 or 2 years, no way. 3 years, I can live with that. 4 years, fine with me.

And I think that is pretty much the sentiment here - the opt out clause isn't a dealbreaker, as long as it's not a giveaway.

[Radbird]

He doesn't care where it is

I have no way of knowing, but find it hard to believe this is true. Not saying he wants STL, but from a personal and professional standpoint, I'm sure he has preferences.

[cards2468]

He doesn't care where it is

I have no way of knowing, but find it hard to believe this is true. Not saying he wants STL, but from a personal and professional standpoint, I'm sure he has preferences.

I'm sure a team's willingness to compete has some value to him... but frankly could you see somebody like the Royals or Pirates making an offer on him??? I think he'd accept slightly more money to go to Baltimore over St. Louis.

[Faceman]

Holliday hired Boras so that he can get top dollar and so that he can have his demands met.

There's a difference between JD Drew and Matt Holliday. Drew is in it for the money. Has been since college. It's clear he handed Boras the reigns and said "let's make some money".

Matt Holliday, while still wanting money, has said numerous times how much he wants a long term contract with a no trade clause so that he can actually give his family a "normal" life. It has nothing to do with faith or religion or what ever. He wants to stay somewhere for a long period of time. He doesn't care where it is, and that's where Boras comes in. If he can get him top dollar in New York or St. Louis or where ever, he wants him to pursue that with it in the back of his head that the deal must be long term and with a NTC to keep him there.

I'm calling BS. You may want to believe there is a difference, but unless you know both guys personally (I only know one), there is no basis whatsoever for the above set of assumptions.

well, Matt Holliday signed with the team that drafted him, played for them, showed willingness to re-sign but turned down an offer bc it lacked a NTC and was traded before negotiating was even able to happen

I think the Rockies were just as guilty of greed as Holliday was in that series of events.

If all he wants is stability, then why did he not even discuss an extension during the season here?

[cards2468]

Holliday hired Boras so that he can get top dollar and so that he can have his demands met.

There's a difference between JD Drew and Matt Holliday. Drew is in it for the money. Has been since college. It's clear he handed Boras the reigns and said "let's make some money".

Matt Holliday, while still wanting money, has said numerous times how much he wants a long term contract with a no trade clause so that he can actually give his family a "normal" life. It has nothing to do with faith or religion or what ever. He wants to stay somewhere for a long period of time. He doesn't care where it is, and that's where Boras comes in. If he can get him top dollar in New York or St. Louis or where ever, he wants him to pursue that with it in the back of his head that the deal must be long term and with a NTC to keep him there.

I'm calling BS. You may want to believe there is a difference, but unless you know both guys personally (I only know one), there is no basis whatsoever for the above set of assumptions.

well, Matt Holliday signed with the team that drafted him, played for them, showed willingness to re-sign but turned down an offer bc it lacked a NTC and was traded before negotiating was even able to happen

I think the Rockies were just as guilty of greed as Holliday was in that series of events.

If all he wants is stability, then why did he not even discuss an extension during the season here?

he never settled in StL, like I said, he told Boras to get him top dollar and to make sure the deal was lengthy with a NTC

[Michael]

Holliday hired Boras so that he can get top dollar and so that he can have his demands met.

There's a difference between JD Drew and Matt Holliday. Drew is in it for the money. Has been since college. It's clear he handed Boras the reigns and said "let's make some money".

Matt Holliday, while still wanting money, has said numerous times how much he wants a long term contract with a no trade clause so that he can actually give his family a "normal" life. It has nothing to do with faith or religion or what ever. He wants to stay somewhere for a long period of time. He doesn't care where it is, and that's where Boras comes in. If he can get him top dollar in New York or St. Louis or where ever, he wants him to pursue that with it in the back of his head that the deal must be long term and with a NTC to keep him there.

I'm calling BS. You may want to believe there is a difference, but unless you know both guys personally (I only know one), there is no basis whatsoever for the above set of assumptions.

well, Matt Holliday signed with the team that drafted him, played for them, showed willingness to re-sign but turned down an offer bc it lacked a NTC and was traded before negotiating was even able to happen

I think the Rockies were just as guilty of greed as Holliday was in that series of events.

If all he wants is stability, then why did he not even discuss an extension during the season here?

I think it's a safe bet the cards would have included a NTC.

[Popeye_Card]

I agree with Steve. Drew also had very important demands concerning team medical supplies.

As for Holliday, make it 7 years, NTC, opt-out after 4, but in exchange the Cards get team options for years 6 and 7. That is only fair. And it probably alieviates most of the risk of when Holliday's defense may make him average, and the Cards have no places to move him (1B taken, no DH).

[skmsw]

Holliday hired Boras so that he can get top dollar and so that he can have his demands met.

There's a difference between JD Drew and Matt Holliday. Drew is in it for the money. Has been since college. It's clear he handed Boras the reigns and said "let's make some money".

Matt Holliday, while still wanting money, has said numerous times how much he wants a long term contract with a no trade clause so that he can actually give his family a "normal" life. It has nothing to do with faith or religion or what ever. He wants to stay somewhere for a long period of time. He doesn't care where it is, and that's where Boras comes in. If he can get him top dollar in New York or St. Louis or where ever, he wants him to pursue that with it in the back of his head that the deal must be long term and with a NTC to keep him there.

I'm calling BS. You may want to believe there is a difference, but unless you know both guys personally (I only know one), there is no basis whatsoever for the above set of assumptions.

well, Matt Holliday signed with the team that drafted him, played for them, showed willingness to re-sign but turned down an offer bc it lacked a NTC and was traded before negotiating was even able to happen

I think the Rockies were just as guilty of greed as Holliday was in that series of events.

So, you're willing to hang your hat on the one and only public statement made by the player ABOUT turning down a $100mm contract? And ignore the agent (and track record) he selected, ignore the fact that he did indeed turn down said monster offer, ignore the fact that he declined to negotiate with STL after the trade, ignore the fact that Boras did not offer a proposal to us during the exclusive window, etc?

I hope they get the deal done, I hope it is fair to both sides, and I am not 100% opposed to an opt-out depending on other concessions and timing of the option. But the tendency to feel like Holliday is "different," is like we are, is one of us, wants to be here, is not like the rest of the mercenaries who play major league baseball, is the wishful thinking all fans have about the players they attach to as fans. Banking on that as a reason the opt-out is not dangerous, is dangerous.

Unless you know the guy, in which case I cheerfully withdraw all of my assumptions and defer to your relationship with the player.

[Eephus Speed]

As for Holliday, make it 7 years, NTC, opt-out after 4, but in exchange the Cards get team options for years 6 and 7.

Perfect.