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Cardinals targeting Rockies' Holliday

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published November 6, 2008 at 3:30 p.m.

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The St. Louis Cardinals have taken an aggressive approach to acquiring Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday.

The Rockies explored trade possibilities for Holliday, third baseman Garrett Atkins and center fielder Willy Taveras during baseball's general manager meetings, which ended Thursday.

They made it known that, in return for Holliday and Atkins, they want a rotation-ready pitcher; bullpen help, especially a left-hander; and a right-handed-hitting left fielder to pair with left-handed Seth Smith.

The Cardinals don't have surplus pitching but could make outfielder Ryan Ludwick, 30, part of a package. Ludwick is first-year arbitration eligible, meaning the Rockies would have control of him for at least three years. He hit .299 with 37 homers and 113 RBI last season.

The Cardinals' top prospect is Triple-A outfielder Colby Rasmus, but he hits left-handed. The Rockies want a right-handed balance with left-handers Todd Helton and Brad Hawpe in the middle of the order.

The Angels, Rays, Yankees, Nationals, Red Sox and Mets also have interest. Philadelphia has had conversations about Holliday in the past but did not even meet with the Rockies this week.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak worked in the Rockies' front office when Holliday was signed.

To acquire Holliday, Mozeliak would have to get owner approval because of the financial implications. Holliday will make $13.5 million in 2009 but is eligible for free agency after the season.

The Rockies attempted to sign Holliday to a long-term extension in the spring but offered only four additional years; Holliday has indicated he wants at least six years and a no-trade clause.

Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd has said he will not trade Holliday unless he can help his club, but the feeling among teams talking with the Rockies is they plan to make a move before spring training.

Comments

  • November 6, 2008

    4:37 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    arvada_mark writes:

    Wow, Ludder for Holliday. It just doesn't sound fair...for the Rox. Ludwick had a great single year, don't get me wrong (he was excellent for one of my fantasy teams so I know him well), but he's no Matt Holliday. Watching the Rockies' fire sales is more depressing than watching them not play up to their talent level. I hope he does stay in the NL, though, this way we can still see him crush homers at Coors. Imagine having to first face Pujols, then Holliday...or would it be Holliday then Pujols? Either way, with Holliday, a healthy Pujols, & a healthy pitching staff, the Cards are going back to the Series.

  • November 6, 2008

    5:04 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    AKuser writes:

    Helton is being counted on to be a middle of the order hitter, really? O'dowd already giving up on a starting pitcher. Got to love the Roxs, consistent as hell (clueless mediocre team that is).

  • November 6, 2008

    10:05 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Tracy Ringolsby writes:

    Ludwick is just a part of the package.
    And no the Rockies haven't given up on pitching. If this deal is made they will use Atkins to fill that need. They do, however, know, as readers have written time and again, that they will need a right-handed run-producing bat for the middle of the order and that has to come from one of the deals or a free agent.

  • November 7, 2008

    6:24 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    SBdoc writes:

    "Watching the Rockies' fire sales is more depressing than watching them not play up to their talent level."

    Maybe they are playing up to their talent level, and that's the problem. Coors field inflates the fan's (and some player's) idea of what what they are worth. Away from Coors Matt is hardly a 13.5 million dollar player, much less a mega star. The rest of baseball knows this. Fans should quit expecting so much in return for him.

  • November 7, 2008

    6:27 a.m.

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    jpl0219 writes:

    Tracy, what would you say to a package of Ludwick, Chris Perez, and a couple prospects. Just a thought from a guy from St. Louis. Is that not enough or would the Rockies want more than that?

  • November 7, 2008

    6:59 a.m.

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    1somelikeithot writes:

    This is just my opinion, but it's possible that teams are reluctant to give up top quality anything for Holliday because he will be a free agent in 2009. Meaning he will probably only be there for a year because Boras clients always test the market and go to the highest bidder. A good package deal will probably be the best they can do.

  • November 7, 2008

    7:03 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jpl0219 writes:

    Word has it that if he goes to St. Louis they're going to try and work out an extension for him, but we all know how that worked for the rockies...

  • November 9, 2008

    4:22 a.m.

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    warrengfunk7 writes:

    Boris is a disgrace...

    He wants the Dodgers to give Manny $25 million a year for 6 years, through the age of 42 years old. Only Barry Bonds (in MLB History) has ever hit more than 20 HR's after the age of 40.

    The Rockies offered Holliday a very, very fair deal and Boris turned it down. I don't even think he asked Holliday. If he did, he didn't do anything but talk Holliday out of it.

    What's Holliday so scared of, with signing a shorter contract? He says he will stay healthy. What's wrong with signing for a few more years with Colorado to give it one more shot with his team? He doesn't have to have $20 million a year, what's wrong with $15 million a year? 4-years, $15 million a year. What the hell is wrong with that? What an assholee, f^ck Holliday!

  • November 9, 2008

    4:23 a.m.

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    warrengfunk7 writes:

    As an Oklahoman, Holliday was my favorite, but I hate the selfish looser now. He's a disgrace.

  • November 9, 2008

    10:02 a.m.

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    dgocoman writes:

    I think the Rockies are making a mistake to count on Helton in 2009 (and beyond). At some point, his back problems are going to come back and then what? Koshansky is okay, but is he a long-term solution? While Atkins is not great defensively and has horrible home/road splits, he will drive in 100+ runs every year and can play 1st base. As much as I love Holliday, he is not worth $150 million. I say trade Holliday to the Cards, put Atkins at 1st, and use Helton as a PH/Defensive replacement with an occasional start against tough righties. He can still get 300 PA that way; he won't like it, but too bad. He will still get his money.

  • November 10, 2008

    12:24 a.m.

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    nbafreak35 writes:

    holiday is absolutely worth 150 million, how is he not? and they will trade atkins because they are paying helton somewhere between 15-20 million a year and they arent gonna pay him that much to just be a pinch hitter, he will be starting at first base. the rockies are doomed for a long time with this ownership. i dont ever plan to go to another game if they dont give holiday what he deserves.