Holliday Season Begins

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  The Free Agent period in Major League Baseball begins 15 days after the end of the World Series.  But the Holliday season is already underway. 

  Matt Holliday's agent is setting the stage for a hefty pay increase for his client.  Scott Boras telling reporters Monday that Holliday is this year's Mark Teixeira, who signed last winter with the Yankees for $180 million. 

  "These guys are blue-collar superstars," Boras said. "They don't hit 50 home runs, but they're complete players. They can give you something without swinging a bat."

  Holliday is not quite Teixeira, especially with the glove.  But the left fielder is a valuable piece for the Cardinals to hold on to.  And Boras is already raising the stakes. 

  "There are differences between hitters and complete players," Boras said. "Matt Holliday is a complete player.

  "There is, frankly, no one like him in the market."

  A player like Jason Bay is comparable.  But Bay isn't a Boras client.  So you can understand why Boras would make it sound like Holliday is the only free agent worth looking at.

  Now the question is, will Holliday allow Boras to get THE best deal he can on the open market or make a quick deal with the Cardinals?  Don't hold your breath.  Holliday is not Kyle Lohse.  Holliday doesn't feel the need to take the easy way out.  He appears to be a guy who wants to be paid like Teixeira, even if it takes all winter.