80′s Rivals Might Be Back at It
By Mike Silva ~ November 12th, 2009. Filed under: Offseason Speculation.
Many contemporary fans know about the recent Mets rivalries with Atlanta, Philadelphia, and to a lesser extent the Yankees. For those that watched this team in the eighties Mets/Cardinals from 1985-1988 was about as big as it gets.
You had Darryl Strawberry hitting the clock, Keith Hernandez returning to Busch Stadium, Barry Lyons breaking John Tudor’s leg, HoJo’s alleged corked bat, and of course the “white rat” Whitey Herzog. Terry Pendleton was quoted on SNY’s “Simply Amazin” about how much he hated playing at Shea Stadium. Even though these two teams played for the pennant twice the last decade it wasn’t the same. Perhaps that will change as both may be the top two candidates to land slugger Matt Holliday this offseason.
The early read by Joel Sherman is the negotiations could come down to the Mets and Cardinals. It appears those are the only two teams, provided that Jason Bay stays in Boston, that will be willing to give Holliday the years and dollars he desires. Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright even weighed in yesterday saying he expect Holliday to remain in St. Louis. I am sure Mets fans will love hearing from the great curveball artist.
This situation reminds me of the Carlos Beltran in 2004. Houston acquired Beltran midseason and it appeared that he wanted to stay because it was a small market and Beltran experienced a great deal of success. Holliday came to St. Louis and put up a 1.000 plus OPS outside of Coors Field. Obviously he didn’t have a 2004 Beltran postseason, but probably took notice of the fans cheering him in St. Louis the game after he botched the ninth inning popup. By most accounts St. Louis fans are the best in baseball and the team is a joy to play for.
Earlier in the offseason we wondered here at NYBD if Holliday would have trouble receiving a $100 million dollar contract. Early reports are that St. Louis has already willing to go up to 6 years $105 million which probably makes it necessary for the Mets to enter the same territory as they did with Beltran. Would 7 years/$117 million do it? How badly does Holliday want New York? Does St. Louis have the stomach for high stakes negotiations? We know he wants the Yankees, but what about the Mets? I don’t think Omar Minaya can land this fish being equal with the Cards and he must trump them at the negotiating table as he did to the Astros. I assume a no trade clause might be a huge deal as well. Also, if Holliday loves the Yankees so much could you see Boras offer him for less ala Beltran at the eleventh hour? It’s 2004 Beltran redux all over again!
If Holliday signs with the Mets expect the “pond scum” posters to be out in full force. Who knows, maybe Tony LaRussa checks his bat for cork. Whatever will happen can’t be as bad as the reception Beltran received when returning to Houston. Cardinals fans are good people, unlike Philadelphia, but that doesn’t preclude them from having the same second city mentality. This is the type of impact bat the Mets need. I wouldn’t go Teixeira money, but it would be unacceptable to allow a mid- market team to take a player that supposedly wants the big city.
To hear me talk with Vince Gennaro author of Diamond Dollars about Matt Holliday and other baseball economic issues download the replay here.
