Outfielder Matt Holliday, probably the biggest free agent about to be on the market -- John Lackey and Jason Bay are the only other in-their-prime stars -- is said by a friend to love the idea of going to the Yankees.
After the Yankees, whom Holliday supposedly loves for their mystique -- and realistically, we'd have to assume their money -- he is believed to like the Dodgers, Angels and Mets, perhaps in that order.
"He just loves the idea of going to the Yankees. He loves the whole aura," the friend said.
Heyman then breaks down the top 10 candidates to land the ball-dropping slugger:
Yankees: They have a trio of corner outfield free agents -- Johnny Damon, Xavier Nady and Hideki Matsui (though he's only DHing this year). They could just try to keep Damon, who wants to return, for maybe $7 million to $9 million a year for two years, and sign a big pitcher instead (though Lackey's the only No. 1-type pitcher available, and some believe he may prefer Texas). "I'm not absolutely positive we're going to go for [Holliday]," a Yankees official said. Although, it's hard to remember too many years when the Yankees didn't go for the biggest free agent. (Carlos Beltran was a rare one they passed on.)I truly don't believe the Yankees will go after him. They broke the bank last offseason with the Sabathia, Burnett, and Teixeira signings, and I would be pretty surprised if they went out and singed other star to a huge contract, and they probably don't need to. I also have my concerns with Holliday. Mainly his .286/.378/.454 hitting line with the A's and that terrible error that cost his team any shot at beating the Dodgers in the NLDS this year. (I know it's just one play and nobody should base anything on it, but it bothers me.)
That being said, there is something about a guy who truly wants to be here. I'm not saying that's enough to sign someone but it should at least be considered. After all when he is hitting he is a very dangerous bat. But in the end I think he'll end up with one of the LA teams, both are a loss away from elimination and will both likely be looking to add a piece to put them over the top for next year.
