UPDATE: Cards Acquire Holliday, page 26

[Swingingbunt]

I really hope you guys are right about Mortenson. I'm not one of the loons who'll cry myself to sleep if he turns out, but this still seems like a very steep price unless we are extending him.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

Mortenson and Peterson are bodies. I have no problem tossing them into a deal for any impact player.

In a way, I am happier trading Wallace for Holliday than I would be for Halladay . . . not entirely happier, but in a way. A 29-year old everyday player, impact bat, good on bases, with bat, and in field, a guy you can re-sign to be part of your core for five years or more (or else get two premium draft picks) . . . verses a soon-to-be 33 year old pitcher who is probably the best in baseball right now but is a pitcher not an everyday player, and is 32 not 29, and is a much more dubious re-sign when his contract is up.

That sums up my thoughts exactly. Plus...I know this won't be a popular opinion, but the lineup needs way, way way more help than the rotation....

[Ace]

I know Morty is no Haren...but I don't like giving pitchers to Oakland. It makes my skin crawl.

I'm not a fan either. Walrus for Holliday+cash is still a tad excessive... throwing in a MLB ready SP that could be a #3 starter within a few years is definitely over-doing it

Mortenson will never be a #3 pitcher. He is Thompson Jr.

Unlike Thompson, he actually has some nasty stuff, he potentially can be a #3 starter.

Mortensen has never been projected as more than a back of the rotation guy even when he was drafted. He has been old at every level he has pitched, and has a 1.39 WHIP in the minor leagues and hasn't made a whole lot of progress. I personally consider him organizational filler.

[Swingingbunt]

the lineup needs way, way way more help than the rotation....

Yes. A 2-5 of Rasmus, Pujols, Holliday, and Ludwick is very solid. IMO, Ludwick will really thrive without the pressure of being "The Protector" for Pujols.

[JL21]

I'm not doing backflips over this one.

It's worth noting we'll get draft picks if he declines arbitration in the off-season.

That's the other scary thing... what if his asking price is huge, nobody signs him, and the Cardinals have to take him to an arbitration judge? His price will be unwieldy and you don't get draft picks.

EDIT: However, y'all are right about the Mortensen thing. I'm coming down off of that a little bit. I still think it was unnecessary to include him. You're already giving them six cost-controlled years of Brett Wallace for two months of a "superstar" with warts

[cards2468]

I'm in favor of bringing in Holliday, but I still think Willingham could have been had for cheaper, plus he's financially cheaper and is having a better year than Holliday.

[Centreville]

Holliday may be our best chance at a playoff run and World Series this year

surely you jest. i hope..

[Radbird]

Jon Heyman from SI weighs in.
Holliday talks progressing between A's, Cardinals

One baseball official, speaking of the potential trade, said, "It's getting closer.'' However, there's no sign it's been finalized as of yet.

The Tigers are another serious pursuer of Holliday. The Giants are believed to have some interest.

The A's have been targeting top Cardinals hitting prospect Brett Wallace. The Cardinals may want the A's to pay the $1.8 million bonus Wallace received in 2008 in any deal involving him.

The Cardinals will try to sign Holliday to a contract extension if they can complete the trade.

[cards2468]

I'm not doing backflips over this one.

It's worth noting we'll get draft picks if he declines arbitration in the off-season.

That's the other scary thing... what if his asking price is huge, nobody signs him, and the Cardinals have to take him to an arbitration judge? His price will be unwieldy and you don't get draft picks.

If he accepts arbitration, we'll get him for a year at probably $16 mil, which isn't the end of the world.

[Michael]

I'm not doing backflips over this one.

It's worth noting we'll get draft picks if he declines arbitration in the off-season.

That's the other scary thing... what if his asking price is huge, nobody signs him, and the Cardinals have to take him to an arbitration judge? His price will be unwieldy and you don't get draft picks.

On the other hand, you have an excellent player with the low risk one year contact before an AP extension. My guess he'll get around 16-18m? Not ideal, but it could be worse.

I'm warming up to this too. If nothing else, it's exciting.