The ‘What If’ Game In The St. Louis Outfield

Written by: Charles Sollars on 11th November 2009

The 'What If' Game In The St. Louis Outfield | read this item

It is safe to say that everyone in Cardinals land doesn’t want to see Matt Holliday leave but there is a possibility that a bidding war with the likes of the Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox could escalate the asking price to foolish levels.

Holliday will no doubt get offers in the $16 million to $18 million dollar range but if the right Scott Boras generated storm hits the price could climb even higher. The real question for the Cardinals is how many years can Holliday produce at a $18 million a season level.

If the New York clubs decide that they want him they will no doubt tack on an extra year or two without every expecting him to play out that contract. This silver spoon approach to player contracts is something that the Cardinals can not, should not, and will not do.

The next player on the shopping list has to then be Jason Bay but he will likely get a Holliday like contract offer from whatever team loses out on Holliday. All of this means that if Holliday leaves it likely means that the Cardinals will miss out on both the number one and number two outfielders in this years free agency pool.

If both Bay and Holliday leave what direction does the team take?

It is obvious that a big bat needs to be added to the lineup and trading for one is probably not a viable option. So what leftovers in the free agent market could help add pop while not breaking the bank?

The first names that come to mind are Dye and Johnny. The next names to pop up on the radar are Matsui, Vlad, and Cameron. All have been solid outfielders with run scoring ability who are on the downside of their career but still have a season left in them. It is safe to say that all could be had for a fraction of what Holliday or Bay would cost. The other benefit to signing someone like Dye or Damon is that the financial investment will be only for two seasons at the most freeing up more money to help lock up Albert long term.

The one two punch of Dye and Damon would have added 51 homeruns and 163 rbi to this years team. Damon made $13 million while Dye made $11.5 million last season and both will demand much less when their 2010 contracts are signed. It is safe to say that both players could be had for the same price as Holliday for one season.

If Holliday leaves for a mountain of cash the Dye, Damon, Ludwick, and Rasmus combo in the outfield would give the team a serious shot at having four outfielders hitting in the 30 hr range and driving in 90 to 100 rbi each. Bringing in Dye and Damon for a season or two would also open up the possibility for the team to listen to trade packages involving Ludwick.

Topics: Asking Price, Bidding War, Breaking The Bank, Cardinals, Cards, damon, Dollar Range, dye, Financial Investment, First Names, Free Agent Market, holliday, Homeruns, Jason Bay, Leftovers, ludwick, Matsui, Matt Holliday, New York Clubs, outfield, outfielders, Player Contracts, Scott Boras, Silver Spoon, Viable Option, vlad