According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, the Cardinals have acquired Oakland outfielder Matt Holliday. In exchange, the A’s get three players including former number one draft pick, third basemen Brett Wallace.
The Cardinals also send outfielder Shane Peterson and pitcher Clayton Mortensen. During the off-season Cardinals GM John Mozeliak had discussions with Colorado as well, but the deal fell through in a Holliday for Ryan Ludwick trade.
Holliday is hitting .287 with 11 home runs this year, but with he has started hitting better this past month hitting close to .350. With the trade of Chris Duncan to Boston, there is an outfield spot open.
Holliday will certainly help provide protection for Albert Pujols and dealing Wallace isn’t such a bad move. In addition to Troy Glaus and Khalil Greene rehabbing in Memphis, the Cardinals also have Mark DeRosa along with Brian Barden and Joe Thurston. They also have David Freese who came over from San Diego in the Jim Edmonds trade, so there is plenty of depth at that position.
Could the Cardinals distance themselves from Chicago, Houston, and Milwaukee? This deal for Holliday could send the rest of the NL Central on an early vacation.