I dont think there is collusion. There is a down economy and baseball is trying to reduce costs. No big bidding wars on anybody.

Boras is a tough guy. He could just sit there until April. He’s in no rush.

I am already not missing DeRosa, the master of the solo homer. We can find better ways to invest $13MM.

The recent comments from Boston seem to preclude them because of the luxury tax issue and its potential of getting in the way of them adding Adrian Gonzalez later, but with them, who knows? Unless the Yankees make a big move, do the Sox feel the need to respond?

I believed Arte Moreno when he said the Angels will not sign Holliday. They have a lot of money tied up in four outfielders already, having re-upped Abreu and signed Matsui.

The Yankees continue to be very vocal in not being interested in Holliday, but no one trusts them any more than they do Boras.

The Mariners just added Milton Bradley and have Ichiro in the other corner and Junior Griffey at DH. They also took on some salary. I would be surprised to see them bid.

Coming full circle, I like your Colorado-type dark horse kind of deal. I wonder who else, not named, could be in the weeds?

Any chance that Colorado gets back in this since the price is coming back down to where they were before?

Odds of signing Holliday

Cards 4:1
Red Sox 4:1
Angels 8:1
Mariners 8:1
Yankees 8:1
The rest of the field 8:1

Sound about right?

It’s only a waste if you fail

All of these issues are yesterdays news………………… Lopez is trouble……at home and on the field. His value is much higher in baseball ability than he has been paid for as yet. Boras knows, that Milwaukee knows, that the Cardinals know. He will attempt at least a 2yr deal, and get it. At least 6 or 7….

DeRosa appealed directly to the Cards a week ago. At that price.

As I recall, the Cards did make an offer to DeRosa early on, though we don’t know how much, how long or if it was taken off the table.

Personally, I have never been a subscriber to the “ownership misled the fans” line of thinking any more or less than I am concerned about players or agents misleading people. Not trying to be insulting, but to me it seems a bit naive to think that way. In multi-million dollar negotiations where the press plays a role, people from all angles say all kinds of things to those more than eager to write about it. Assumptions change, positions change, rules change. Putting too much stock in what anyone says in contract matters will inevitably lead to disappointment. At least that is my view.

As of now, it looks like the Cards made no effort to sign DeRosa. With a contract around 2/12 they would have been able to unload him to somebody later if need be without taking much of a hit. With his versatility, the Cards would be in a much better position right now on a lot of levels, 3B, LF, 2B platoon, utility, bench. There are 2 theories which make sense. One is the Cards think his health will not hold up, wrist, back, whatever. It would be sensable not to let on, allowing other teams to assess that for themselves, and enjoy the extra draft pick. The other is that RC’s info is correct, and the Cards knew he wouldn’t be back. It would be necessary not to admit that as it would bring clubhouse problem type issues into public view.

Its also possible that Westy could be right (mental image of good looking gentleman cringing and choking out the words) and one would have to pry the $6M out of BDW’s cold dead hand before he’d give it to a versatile but aging 275 hitter, when he has serviceable and cheap almost ready for prime time prospects who can most likely provide serviceable defense and hit 275.