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

[greenback44]

How [expletive] close to a deal can you get 7 or 8 times without signing someone?

I'd guess the leak that they're close is equivalent to this:

So the question is when will the Cardinals say "Take it or leave it"?

[clevername]

again, no one is saying we should lowball him with a $14 million/year offer. We're saying we shouldn't be paying $20 million a year when we can get him for $17-18 million a year.

And if he's going to be a [expletive] because he's only making $17-18 million a year he can get lost.

If you're telling me that we can get him for $17-$18 million a year, I'd be an idiot to say we should give him $20. I just don't know how you would know that.

And I'm also considering that a couple million dollars a year savings will afford us what, a slightly better reserve player or middle reliever? I wouldn't let that come between signing Holliday or not, regardless of whether it appears to be a good deal or not. From where I'm at, not signing Holliday at this point couldn't possibly be considered a good deal for us, at least in the short term. I'll take may chances with him as a Cardinal, even if he is considered overpaid by some.

that number comes from virtually every rumored offer we've seen the last 2-3 weeks. None have approached $20 million a year.

the extra $2-3 million a year could be used for any number of things from increased draft pick money to padding Albert's new deal.

[clevername]

fwiw, Olney's reporting it's likely a 7 year deal.

[Michael]

I hope that Beltre deal is true. That'd help negotiations.

[jim]

again, no one is saying we should lowball him with a $14 million/year offer. We're saying we shouldn't be paying $20 million a year when we can get him for $17-18 million a year.

And if he's going to be a [expletive] because he's only making $17-18 million a year he can get lost.

If you're telling me that we can get him for $17-$18 million a year, I'd be an idiot to say we should give him $20. I just don't know how you would know that.

And I'm also considering that a couple million dollars a year savings will afford us what, a slightly better reserve player or middle reliever? I wouldn't let that come between signing Holliday or not, regardless of whether it appears to be a good deal or not. From where I'm at, not signing Holliday at this point couldn't possibly be considered a good deal for us, at least in the short term. I'll take may chances with him as a Cardinal, even if he is considered overpaid by some.

that number comes from virtually every rumored offer we've seen the last 2-3 weeks. None have approached $20 million a year.

the extra $2-3 million a year could be used for any number of things from increased draft pick money to padding Albert's new deal.

Chump change. They can find that in the sofa. What you offer gazillion million bazillion, what's a couple of million?

[haltz]

Hopefully the deal is pretty much done, or else the Cards shouldn't have let Beltre go to the Red Sox that cheaply. Not seeing a whole lot of smart plan Bs out there with Byrd, Johnson, Cameron and now Beltre off the table.

Either way, I hope we sign Ben Sheets.

[Swingingbunt]

Hopefully the deal is pretty much done, or else the Cards shouldn't have let Beltre go to the Red Sox that cheaply. Not seeing a whole lot of smart plan Bs out there with Byrd, Johnson, Cameron and now Beltre off the table.

Either way, I hope we sign Ben Sheets.

I'm with you...Mo must have one helluva poker face.

[Richie Allen]

that number comes from virtually every rumored offer we've seen the last 2-3 weeks. None have approached $20 million a year.

What we've been rumored to offer (which the validity has not been confirmed) and what he's asking are likely two very different things. And it's probably safe to say that the rumors are based on what we've been thought to have offered.

the extra $2-3 million a year could be used for any number of things from increased draft pick money to padding Albert's new deal.

And you might just end up with an extra $19-20 million to spend.

[Swingingbunt]

...oh Strauss...

[Richie Allen]

...oh Strauss...

"Might be worthwhile to stay up late Re: latest Holliday developments. To appear soon @STLtoday.com. Or buy Tuesday's paper. Either one fine."