By DAYN PERRY
FoxSports.com
By acclamation, outfielder Matt Holliday is the prize of this free-agent class, both in terms of on-field value and the contract he'll command.
That's with good reason. Holliday, while not an elite hitter on the level of Albert Pujols, Joe Mauer, Hanley Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez, is still a highly productive, complete ballplayer. Holliday boasts the 10th-best career OPS of any active player. And while there's certainly some "Coorsifornication" in those numbers, it's worth noting that Holliday's career OPS, even after you adjust for league conditions and home park, is still a hefty 33 percent better than the league average.
As well, his performance in St. Louis last season (a batting line of .353 AVG/.419 OBP/.604 SLG after the July 23 trade) eased fears that Holliday's Oakland numbers reflected his true abilities. Holliday also runs the bases well for a big man, and he's a plus defender in left.
It's little wonder, then, the Scott Boras client will likely fetch a contract worth comfortably more than $100 million. Such a deal would stretch into Holliday's decline phase, but he'll continue to produce at a high level in the near term. (In fact, the great Bill James projects Holliday to hit .316/.391/.531 with 27 homers and 43 doubles in 2010.) Accordingly, many teams are interested.
So to get in the "Holliday spirit," let's take a look at what signing the hard-hitting outfielder would mean to each of those probable suitors. If the rumors are any guide, you can
