As everyone knows, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, reported on the 17th that the O’s had jumped into the bidding for Matt Holliday.
Jeff Zriebec of The Baltimore Sun blogged in response that day, that his contacts stated the O’s realistically believed they had little chance to obtain Holliday.
After the signings of Gonzalez, and Atkins; the Warehouse has done their part to tell the Baltimore media that they are positioned to be deliberate. There is legitimate reason to accept this rationale. The O’s have obtained a Starter, a Closer, and added a Corner Infielder.
Several times this off-season MacPhail, and Trembley have gone out of their way to state the Orioles would like a legitimate middle of the lineup bat. I have often read those comments to point towards a player like Carlos Delgado. A player that had an injury-riddled 2009, and due to that, and his age would have limited suitors for 2010. A player the O’s could sign for 1 year, and have legitimate hope that he could again find his power-stroke, and help the Orioles in 2010.
I am now wondering if the O’s are mulling over a legitimate run at Holliday, with the intention of him taking over 1st-base?
While the O’s could sign Holliday, with the idea of him taking over LF, and moving Reimold to DH, Scott to 1st, and Pie as the 4th OF; I think the Oriole interest would be with Holliday taking over 1st.
While true that he has never played 1st, he has the oft-desired size (6’4), and athleticism to make that adjustment. He also broke into the minors as a 3rd-baseman, so he has some historic familiarity with the infield. Dave Johnson of MASN, and The Baseball Show with Tom Davis is fond of stating that you can not just say you are going to move a player to 1st, with no prior experience. He points to how important the position actually is. I understand his argument, and somewhat agree. However, if a 6’4 athlete has shown the athletic ability to be a suitable OF in spacious Coors Field, I find it hard to believe that he can not become a somewhat adequate 1st-baseman. The bottom-line is that if Holliday took over 1st-base for the Baltimore Orioles, he would not be asked to be Keith Hernandez with the glove. He would be asked to provide a substantial bat to the middle of the Oriole lineup.
For his career, the 29 year-old Holliday has a .933 OPS. Splitting time between Oakland and St.Louis in 2009, Holliday batted .313, with 24 homers, and 109 rbi. The St.Louis Post Dispatch has reported that the Cardinals offered Holliday an 8 year contract at $16M per year. That amounts to a total of $128M.
So, if the O’s are interested in adding Holliday, what does that mean? It means that despite his friendship with Roberts, and Atkins; you are going to have come with serious money to see Holliday in the Orange & Black. I think for Baltimore to sign him, the O’s would have to offer 6 years, $120M. That would put their offer around the same total dollars as the Cardinal offer, at substantially more money per season. If it is accepted, you get a power bat in the middle of the lineup, at a lower total of years and money than Baltimore offered Teixeira last off-season.
While Teixeira is the better all-around player (switch-hitter, defense at 1st) and was local; they are the same age, with a similar career OPS.
Baltimore does not have to add Holliday to compete in the AL East quickly (2011), but there can be no-doubt that Holliday would improve the Orioles today, even if he could be deemed a bonus.
Roberts 2nd
Jones CF
Markakis RF
Holliday 1st
Wieters C
Reimold LF
Scott DH
Atkins 3rd
Izturis SS
Wigginton, Pie, Moeller, 25th
That lineup would compete with anyone.
Owner
Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.