The Cardinals trade for Matt Holliday, giving up prospects Brett Wallace (3B), Shane Peterson (OF), and Clay Mortenson (RHP).
On Paper:
The Cardinals get what LaRussa has long wanted (generally: another bat behind Pujols; specifically: Matt Holliday). The A's make a standard All-Star for top prospects trade they have become known for. The A's also kick in part of the remaining balance on Holliday's contract.
Best Case Scenario for Cardinals:
Holliday continues his recent tear and the Cards see another M3 combination in the 3-4-5 slots.
Best Case Scenario for A's:
Wallace becomes the Major League hitter everyone expects while Peterson and Mortenson fill in their respective rolls.
Worst Case Scenario for Cardinals:
See Mark Mulder for Dan Haren and Co.
Worst Case Scenario for A's:
Wallace flops, never becoming the hitter the A's expect, and they lose the draft picks they (may) have received for Holliday.
Bottom Line:
Oddly enough, the team trading for the prospects seems to have the best worst scenario here. Even if Holliday plays to his career numbers for the rest of the season, the Cardinals still lose if they can't parlay the acquisition into a multi-year deal, though a WS ring would dull the pain should they get one.
Wallace is a concensus hitter, but the Cards have nowhere for him to play - while listed as a third baseman, he is a first baseman / DH long term. He will be a good fit in an A's system that seems to spawn hitters like him.
Much has been made of Holliday's drop in production this year and of the Cardinals' need to protect Pujols. What hasn't been talked about much is the protection the Cards will provide Holliday - being sandwiched between Pujols and Ludwick (50 HR combined) is a big jump from Scott Hairston and Jack Cust (28 HR combined). Also note: Holliday's "lackluster" 12 home runs place him third on the Cards.
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