The Cardinals maintain interest in Matt Holliday, but they are ready to move on in case they can't re-sign him, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. GM John Mozeliak says the club won't become paralyzed as they negotiate with the star Scott Boras client.
"We have to be prepared if we can't sign him," Mozeliak said. "We need to have other options to pursue. And we do."
The GM knows that it won't be easy to replace Holliday's production if he signs elsewhere. However, the Cards would obtain a pair of draft picks if Holliday turns down arbitration to sign elsewhere. Those picks would help make up for Brett Wallace, who the Cards sent to Oakland to acquire Holliday. If the Cards let their left fielder walk, they would rely on many others to produce.
"I don't think there's one guy who can make that kind of impact," Mozeliak said.
Strauss says assumptions that the Cards will pursue Jason Bay if they fail to re-sign Holliday "may be unfounded."
