Smoltz - Leaning to Signing with Cardinals

[Baron]

<!--quoteo(post=59067:date=Aug 20 2009, 12:41 PM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Aug 20 2009, 12:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=59065:date=Aug 20 2009, 01:39 PM:name=Baron)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Baron @ Aug 20 2009, 01:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=59063:date=Aug 20 2009, 12:35 PM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Aug 20 2009, 12:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=59053:date=Aug 20 2009, 01:13 PM:name=Runnys)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Runnys @ Aug 20 2009, 01:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->MW said the Cards have a great record of signing guys like Holliday. Holiday does not have an injury history and is in the prime of his career. Carpenter hardly fits as someone like Holliday, Carpenters was awful before signing with the Cards and was coming off major arm surgery. The Cards just got fucking lucky. As far as Rolen, he is close to Holliday, but he still never hit the FA market. Sure, it is possible that the Cards can sign Holliday before the year is over, but I don't see it happening and if he hits the FA market he is going to get top dollar and IIRC the Cards do not pay top dollar for FA's.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Runnys, you're wrong. Carpenter signed a 5 year deal with the Cards in 2007 after pitching amazingly for them in the 3 previous seasons.
2004: 15-5, 3.46 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 123 ERA+
2005: 21-5, 2.83 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 149 ERA+
2006: 15-8, 3.09 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 144 ERA+

Holliday's situation is very similar other than the fact that he doesn't have a 3 year history with the team. I do think he'll be paid handsomely next season. The Cards can afford him too based on their salary commitments for 2010. Whether or not they choose to spend there money on him is another questions.
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The Cardinals resurrected his career by signing him when he had a torn labrum and paying him to rehab. How is that similar to Holliday?
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That's all well and good, but has nothing to do with his 2007 signing, which is what I am comparing Holliday's situation to.
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So you are saying that the Cardinals resurrecting his career had no effect on him giving them a below market value contract? Also, Carpenter was with the Cards for 3 years, got to know the city, got comfortable, felt he owed the Cardinals... how is that similar to Holliday?