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

[Eephus Speed]

Hollidays poor performance as an Athletic will not allow any AL team to pony up.

He had a 120 OPS+ and was worth 3 wins with Oakland. Poor by his standards, I guess.

[TGantz]

He really wasn't that bad for Oakland. His BA wasn't fantastic and I think it's a basic stat that puts a bad taste in everyone's mouths.

[fanforever]

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/ ... 4IIFLvASRM

"The budget number is hard and set," said Cashman, who will work with a budget less than last year's $201 million.

Last year, Chashman went to ownership to get more money ($5.5 million) for Andy Pettitte after convincing the Steinbrenners Mark Teixeira fit into the scheme. "We have [Derek] Jeter and [Mariano] Rivera coming up next year. We were very aggressive in last year's free agent market [$423.5 million for CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Teixeira] and there were terrific players available. This market is a lot different. We played the better market last year and we will be less aggressive in this market."

So Cashman continues to look at opportunities to add a starting pitcher, a left fielder and Hideki Matsui's replacement as the DH. The Yankees are close to getting a deal done with Nick Johnson to replace Matsui and that could affect Johnny Damon's return.

If Cashman signs an arm, it could come from the group of hurlers coming back from health problems. Ben Sheets tops the group that includes Justin Duchscherer and Jarrod Washburn.

Johnson's arrival doesn't kill Damon's chances of returning, but that concrete budget may not have room for a starting pitcher and Damon.

He remains on the list to return and yesterday agent Scott Boras said reports of what his client wants are premature.

"To this point there haven't been any discussions," Boras said. "There has been no asking for X and Y."

Damon told The Post this week he was looking outside The Bronx for work.

"Teams call," Boras said. "The market for position players is tied to Holliday (a Boras client) and [Jason] Bay. Clubs need offense."

With very little action between the Yankees and Damon, could Steinbrenner get involved in seeing if there is a deal to be made for the No. 2 hitter.

"I am responsible for the entire organization," Steinbrenner said. "Every facet of it, every area. I will get involved where I need to get involved."

[Socnorb11]

Another middle finger to Boras, from the PD:

The Cardinals received some encouraging news Thursday when the lead agent for first baseman Albert Pujols insisted his client's view of a possible extension is "independent" of how negotiations with Holliday end.

"With all due respect to Matt, Albert respects Matt, would love to have him as a teammate and hopes he gets his money, but Matt's situation must be seen as independent of Albert's," said Dan Lozano of Beverly Hills Sports Council.

Lozano's comments Thursday were an oblique response to an attempt by Boras last week to link Pujols and his client's future. Boras described Holliday as uniquely qualified within both this year's and next year's free-agent market to offer protection for the three-time NL MVP.

[stlouie_lipp]

It's easy to say I'm wrong. But I asked for names of players that have done this. I'm waiting on names. I guess that's harder than just telling someone they're wrong.

What you're asking for is impossible to answer; unless, you have intimate knowledge of a certain player's negotiations, which none of us do. I'd like for you to name a player that you know didn't sign where he wanted because Boras wouldn't let him.

And, yes, you are right, he is the best at what he does.

[Jocephus]

is it not a relief that boras doesn't represent pujols...

[greenback44]

It's easy to say I'm wrong. But I asked for names of players that have done this. I'm waiting on names. I guess that's harder than just telling someone they're wrong.

What you're asking for is impossible to answer; unless, you have intimate knowledge of a certain player's negotiations, which none of us do. I'd like for you to name a player that you know didn't sign where he wanted because Boras wouldn't let him.

Yeah, the numbers that get leaked out have to be taken with a grain of salt. If the word gets out that the Mets are offering Holliday $200 million, then everybody would assume that's just Boras trying to drive up the asking price, or maybe the Mets are trying to make themselves look un-cheap in the eyes of their fans.

In the specific case of Boras, I would look for bargain contracts signed before a player hit free agency. He's consistent enough on the benefits of free agency, that I would say violating it would indicate the player takes control. Carpenter's first extension (2 years, $13 million for 2006/7) would be an example. Pujols's contract could be classified as such as well. If something like Lohse or A-Rod is the best example of a player exerting control, then I'd say the point is moot, because there's little practical difference between the actual contracts and the likely Boras substitutes.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

It's easy to say I'm wrong. But I asked for names of players that have done this. I'm waiting on names. I guess that's harder than just telling someone they're wrong.

What you're asking for is impossible to answer; unless, you have intimate knowledge of a certain player's negotiations, which none of us do. I'd like for you to name a player that you know didn't sign where he wanted because Boras wouldn't let him.

And, yes, you are right, he is the best at what he does.

I think you're right here, lipp, the players have total control. But, Beltran seems to be one guy who chased the money (Mets, 7/120) instead of staying where he preferred (Astros, 6or7/100ish). I remember thinking Beltran would be crazy to leave Houston where he was a hero for 2004 to go to NY. But, he did, and got pwned by Wano

[cards2468]

I understand you're basing that on something he said publicly, but I'm skeptical. It might be true, but I find it hard to believe that Holliday isn't telling Boras where he'd prefer to play for the next 5-8 years of his career. How could you not care?

when you play in 3 very different places within a year, I doubt you develop much of a connection to any particular place. I don't see how he'd prefer St. Louis over another city, especially if St. Louis won't give him the longest contract.

[Michael]

Another middle finger to Boras, from the PD:

The Cardinals received some encouraging news Thursday when the lead agent for first baseman Albert Pujols insisted his client's view of a possible extension is "independent" of how negotiations with Holliday end.

"With all due respect to Matt, Albert respects Matt, would love to have him as a teammate and hopes he gets his money, but Matt's situation must be seen as independent of Albert's," said Dan Lozano of Beverly Hills Sports Council.

Lozano's comments Thursday were an oblique response to an attempt by Boras last week to link Pujols and his client's future. Boras described Holliday as uniquely qualified within both this year's and next year's free-agent market to offer protection for the three-time NL MVP.

haha that's awesome. Is there any doubt we'll resign AP?