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

[Richie Allen]

Does that scoreboard behind him say E7? If so, how?

It's a system in which little lights are lit up to create messages. A Lite Brite if you will.

Thanks Elroy. I was more wondering how it could say E7 before the ball even hit the ground. Must be something I'm missing (other than the Lite Brite theory...I do commend you on the correct spelling!)

[cpebbles]

I know it's important and is responsible for the overall health of the organization but I don't necessarily rest easier at night knowing we're a certain million dollars under our self-imposed budget. Spend the damn money and get the players you and the fans want. You can't expect to continue to lure 3 million fans through the gate simply because you're the most fiscally responsible organization. Sometimes you've gotta roll the dice and spend some money.

This mis-characterization gets mentioned way too often. Nobody here has ever said that the Cardinals need to spend less money to be more fiscally responsible. Not once. We've said they need to be a lot more sensible and flexible at where and when they're spending the money.

If Holliday leaves, giving Chone Figgins $60 over 5 years just because he'd be an upgrade and there is nobody clearly better on the free agent market is irresponsible and would be disastrous to the long-term health of the team (With only a minimal improvement to their status as a fringe contender in the short term). Better for them to sit on the money for now. If they're in the race at midseason, go after another big Holliday-like acquisition. If they're not, invest the money in amateur talent. If there isn't anyone in the draft or the international market that's worth the money, use it today to lock up stars for tomorrow.

[Richie Allen]

I know it's important and is responsible for the overall health of the organization but I don't necessarily rest easier at night knowing we're a certain million dollars under our self-imposed budget. Spend the damn money and get the players you and the fans want. You can't expect to continue to lure 3 million fans through the gate simply because you're the most fiscally responsible organization. Sometimes you've gotta roll the dice and spend some money.

This mis-characterization gets mentioned way too often. Nobody here has ever said that the Cardinals need to spend less money to be more fiscally responsible. Not once. We've said they need to be a lot more sensible and flexible at where and when they're spending the money.

If Holliday leaves, giving Chone Figgins $60 over 5 years just because he'd be an upgrade and there is nobody clearly better on the free agent market is irresponsible and would be disastrous to the long-term health of the team (With only a minimal improvement to their status as a fringe contender in the short term). Better for them to sit on the money for now. If they're in the race at midseason, go after another big Holliday-like acquisition. If they're not, invest the money in amateur talent. If there isn't anyone in the draft or the international market that's worth the money, use it today to lock up stars for tomorrow.

Who is we? And whoever you guys are, you're way too paranoid. What made you think my own beliefs (AKA "mischaracterizations") were directed at you (guys)? I wasn't talking about anyone (or any group) other than myself. I was saying I don't giving a flying [expletive] if the money we spend on a free agent I want to see signed is considered by someone else to be a certain % over their market value based on some game they've made up counting runs or wins or some other nonsense.

[greenback44]

Craig raked in spring training, won over scouts, and put up a Memphis line that translates to .296/.345/.516.

That's got to be a BPro MLE, and they've been spitting out some kooky results. minorleaguesplits.com says 278/319/440, and while its raw stats don't match Craig's final numbers, I'd still believe that before I'd believe that BA only goes down 20 points and ISO only goes down 5 (!) points when moving from Memphis to St. Louis.

[Cronos]

BTW, I was wondering how Holliday will be remembered if he takes less money to go somewhere else?

Cue the "Price is Right" Failure horns.

[ghostrunner]

Just going through the lineup again:


Schumaker .757
Rasmus .714
Pujols 1.101
Ludwick .775
Molina .749
Ryan .740
Craig
Freese

The only insurance in that lineup currently is Pujols and maybe Ludwick. Schumaker will probably have a decent average/OBP with little power. Molina will have a decent average/OBP with little power. I'd expect Rasmus to improve, but he's still a gamble. Freese and Craig are gambles. Ryan's likely a defensive asset again, and I'd imagine will decline offensively.

I could easily see a team of Pujols and seven sub-800 players coming out of that lineup. I'd essentially like one additional semi-guaranteed 30HR, .800+ OPS player. Preferably Holliday, then Bay. Doesn't seem like too much to ask, or like a bank breaker.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Does that scoreboard behind him say E7? If so, how?

It's a system in which little lights are lit up to create messages. A Lite Brite if you will.

Thanks Elroy. I was more wondering how it could say E7 before the ball even hit the ground. Must be something I'm missing (other than the Lite Brite theory...I do commend you on the correct spelling!)

It's for a previous at bat for that hitter, it says F7.

[Jocephus]

According to FOXSports.com, Cardinals president Bill DeWitt III is optimistic about free agent Matt Holliday.
"Like any club, you have to set your budget and make sure you live within it," DeWitt said in a telephone interview with FOXSports.com. "As it relates to Matt, we have an internal sense of what we can do. Hopefully, he'll view that as enough." "The process has to play itself out," he continued. "There's no point in getting into the posturing that seems to be going on out there a little. We're trying to keep him. We love Matt. We're trying to get him signed. If not, we'll move on to a Plan B." Holliday officially hits the open market at 12:01 am on Friday.
Source: FOXSports.com

[ghostrunner]

"The process has to play itself out," he continued. "There's no point in getting into the posturing that seems to be going on out there a little. We're trying to keep him.
Source: FOXSports.com

[/quote]

Whether or not this is smart, it's refreshing. Not sure it appeals to Boras and his usual gamesmanship.

[phins]

Does that scoreboard behind him say E7? If so, how?

It's a system in which little lights are lit up to create messages. A Lite Brite if you will.

Thanks Elroy. I was more wondering how it could say E7 before the ball even hit the ground. Must be something I'm missing (other than the Lite Brite theory...I do commend you on the correct spelling!)

It's for a previous at bat for that hitter, it says F7.

Ding ding ding!