DisCard: The Holiday thing still confuses me. Wouldn't the Cards be better off waiting until the Peavy deal is settled? If he doesn't go to Atlanta the shortstop slot could be filled for years to come by making that deal. Despite Holiday's desire to annually contend, Boras will pressure for bigger offers than the Cards will likely make. So, it's a one year rental. Assuming the Braves get Peavy, couldn't the Cards ask for a chance to negotiate with Holiday before making a deal? What's the hurry?Are the Cards competing with some other team offering a 37-homer hitter who might hit 50 in Coors? Wasting Ludwick, even the player from 2 years ago, for a one year rental makes little sense to me. Add in the budget factors and again I am totally confused by this proposal.

Jeff Gordon: I agree. Boras will shoot for the moon with Holliday. He will set the market with Ramirez and Teixeira this year, then follow that with a huge deal for Matt next year. Getting Matt to sign an extension as part of a trade would be a very difficult. And even if the Cards did pull that off, does the team want to invest all that money in an outfielder with so many hard-to-fill needs elsewhere?

Escobar would be a nice get from the Braves, but he seems to be the key to their Peavy package. If Jake goes elsewhere, the Cards ought to make a big play for Yunel.

SammyG: This.. was... awful

Jeff Gordon: The Rams game? Agreed.

Tim: I know the cards are going to be getting left handed help for the bullpen but what about right handed help. Id like to see them pick up Juan Cruz, he would be great for the bullpen and a nice closer opthion in case perez doesnt work.

Jeff Gordon: The right side is loaded right now, with Perez positioned to close, Motte on the rise, Franklin on hand for the eighth inning, Kinney mended and McClellan capable of doing some more heavy lifting if he isn't needed in the rotation. Both Springer and Izzy want to come back, too. To me, Kinney is the key to whole thing. If what we saw at the end of the year is how he'll pitch next season, he would really help.

Tim: If we get Holliday do you still se them trading for either Johnson or Escobar?

Jeff Gordon: The Holliday thing is on hold, as Joe Strauss reported. The Cards could go free agency at 2B, spending the money on Hudson, then save all their trade assets for a shortstop. In addition to Escobar and Khalil Greene, Julio Lugo, J.J. Hardy or Maicer Izturis could also be had in deals.

Secret Sauce: What went wrong in the Holliday deal? Was it Mo thinking that he was giving up too much or was it the Rockies thinking they did not get a sufficient offer? Or did St. Louis think that they simply could not afford Holliday after next season? Thanks!

Jeff Gordon: If Colorado wanted Ludwick AND Schumaker in addition to Mitchell Boggs for a one-year rental, THAT is what went wrong with the deal. If Holliday is determined to test free agency, then the Cards would get blown out of that bidding.