Holliday update: O’s, Cards, another team?

Things seem to be heating up on the Matt Holiday front, as additional teams may be jumping into the race to land the left fielder.

While the Cardinals still appear to be the favorites, reports last night indicated that the Orioles might end up being serious bidders. This actually isn’t all that suprising. The O’s are a very talented young team, but could use a bit more power in the middle of their order. They tried to sign Mark Teixeira to build around last season, but weren’t able to. There are also rumors floating around that they will go after Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, a move I’d be a fan of.

Additionally, Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports tweeted that Holliday may also have another offer on the table from an East Coast team. My money would be on New York – either the Mets or the Yankees. The Yankees seemed out of it for Holliday a few days ago, but with Damon talks stalling, and both Halladay and Lackey off the market, they might make an offer. The Mets, who seem more interested in Jason Bay, could also be players for Holliday is Bay doesn’t seem ready to sign.

Holliday, who hit .313/.394/.515 last season, with a .390 wOBA and 5.7 UZR, was a 6-7 WAR player in 2009, and is certainly deserving a contract at least approaching $20 million a year, if not exceeding it. However, his numbers have dropped of a bit, and he clearly isn’t the same player he was in Coors field. Fantasy wise, Holliday wont repeat his second half batting average, even if he stays in St. Louis, but he could hit .310 with 25 homers and 10-15 steals and 100 RBIs, making him a #1 fantasy outfielder. A move to Yankee stadium could up his value even more, so keep an eye on the situation as it develops.

NL News & Notes

AL News & Notes

New York – With All Star Closer Billy Wagner out indefinitely, possibly for the year, the Mets must turn to their shaky bullpen to close the games out.  After trading for reliever Luis Ayala Monday, the Mets signed ex-Devil Ray Closer, Al Reyes to a minor league contract.  Ayala, who pitched in over 50 innings for the Nationals, had a tRA just under 5 in his time there.  Reyes, who pitched in a combined 83 innings over the past 2 years with Tampa Bay, averaged 1 HR in every 10 balls hit in the air in 2007, and had a tRA of just over 5 in his 83 innings over the past 2 seasons.  Neither of these guys look like they should be able to get the job done. Neither is current closer Aaron Heilman, posting a 4.96 tRA this season, with a 8% HR rate of balls hit in the air.

St. Louis – Adam Wainright is scheduled to return from his Sprained right middle finger that has sidelined him since a Win on June 7th.  Prior to his injury, Wainwright had a 3.14 ERA, but a 4.26 tRA, showing that he had his defense bail him out once or twice. However, Wainwright also posted an above average K/BB rate (3.10), BABIP (.263) and GB% (47.6%).  There was speculation of Wainwright returning as the closer, but due to Chris Carpenter’s injury, he will return to the rotation.  He is a must add & start for his start on Friday.  This leaves Chris Perez to be the closer, who has succeeded in the trial period that he had, and now, poised, expect him to be better than ever.

Florida – Hanley Ramirez was taken out of the game Last Night after apparently jamming his right thumb while stealing second base.  Although he is listed as day-to-day, this may be a problem that can cause him to miss time, or that may linger with him.  Arguably the best fantasy baseball player this year, Hanley will be hard to replace.  To replace him, I recommend Jed Lowrie, who has posted an average to above average contact% (81%), BABIP (.382), BB/K rate (0.58) in 137 at bats.  Although this is a small sample size, he has also put up these types of numbers throughout his minor league career.