The Beginning of Everything

The general managers get together starting today in Chicago.  While this is a preview of the big "winter meetings" that will be held next month in Indianapolis, there's not expected to be much of a ripple made in the offseason pond from this gathering.  Joe Strauss sets the scene not only for these meetings, but for the whole offseason in his article today.

The Cardinals are going to have a lot of news and rumors float around them this offseason, with Matt Holliday being the focal point.  Strauss says that the Cards were looking at $17 million a year for Holliday, but that won't likely be in the ballpark if Scott Boras is able to get his Teixeria-like money for him.

You know, I knew that the Cards were going to have to shell out a ton of money for Holliday, but seeing figures like $17 million put down on virtual paper is an eye-opener.  I honestly can't see how St. Louis could afford Holliday, an extention for Albert Pujols (which would have to be more than what Holliday receives), and continue to maintain the payroll that includes Chris Carpenter and Kyle Lohse.  The Cardinals are going to hit the end of their resources pretty quickly in that regard.

Unfortunately, they are kinda painted into a corner.  If they don't get Holliday, they probably are in on Jason Bay, but he's not necessarily going to be that much cheaper.  (Though I have always been somewhat of a Bay fan and would like to see him in St. Louis.)  If they don't get either guy, they don't necessarily have the bullets in the farm system to make a deal to get another outfielder, so they might go with what they have.

Of course, the other option is to load up on pitching and hope that Pujols, Colby Rasmus, Ryan Ludwick and Yadier Molina can put up enough runs to win some low-scoring games.  To that end, John Lackey is on the market and would make for a heck of a rotation with Carpenter and Adam Wainwright, but I can't see the Cardinals going that route.

Should be interesting to see what trickles out of these meetings, whether some groundwork is set for bigger deals down the road.  Due to John Mozeliak being there, I'd not expect anything McGwire-related until the end of the week or beginning of next.  I'm still not completely sure they won't have it the week of Thanksgiving to try to keep a lower profile.

Completely off topic, the accountant in me finds this mildly humorous.

Wednesday night's UCB Radio Hour this week will have MLB.com writer Matthew Leach on the program.  Be sure to tune in!


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