John Mozeliak, Matt Holliday and Bill DeWitt JR. (Bill Greenblatt, UPI)
Team owner Bill DeWitt Jr. and general manager John Mozeliak made it official yesterday that Matt Holliday is a Cardinal. Holliday showed off his jersey at a press conference Thursday where it was announced he has signed the largest player contract in franchise history…for now.
I say that because Albert Pujols’ $100 million contract is up in 2011. The team signed Holliday to a seven-year contract and reports say Holliday will be paid $17 million per season. The deal also includes an option for the 2017 season and the contract will be paid through 2029.
Holliday turns 30 on January 15th, He has a career .318 batting average with 152 home runs and 592 RBI’s in six-plus seasons with the Colorado Rockies (2004-2008), Oakland Athletics (2009) and in 63 games with the Cardinals. Holliday switched to number 7 from 15 which he wore last season. Mark DeRosa wore 7 last year.
Matt Holliday comments on his signing.