MLB needs more Hollidays

By Dan Rodgers

Happy Valentine's Day everyone. It's the most wonderful time of the year, MLB Spring Training begins today. Major League Baseball is a fantastic thing and is reserved for the select few who have respect for it.

One thing that teams deal with before the season and during spring training is re-signing players whose contracts expire at the end of the year. Albert Pujols, arguably the best player in baseball, is set to be a free agent at the conclusion of this coming season.

Pujols gave the Cardinals a deadline of Wednesday the 16 by noon to come up with a contract offer. Pujols also stated that if he doesn't agree to the deal he is ceasing all negotiations and declaring free agency after the season.

In a kind of related act, Cards OF Matt Holliday came out and said he would be interested in deferring money if it would help keep Big Al in St. Louis. Something every coach, GM and owner wants to hear, but no agent wants to hear (per usatoday.com):

"I [Holliday] deferred $2 million a year for the whole contract. I would be willing, if they [Cardinals management] came to me and said, 'Hey, this is what it's going to take to get Albert done, would you do it again or do more?' Scott (Boras) probably wouldn't like me to say that, but if that's what it took, I would be willing to do that."

I don't know about you but Holliday should be praised for this. I professional athlete who is making millions upon millions of dollars said he would give some back if it would help the team sign their best player. That is the ultimate team act and something I would look for in a player: putting the team before yourself.

Rodgers That