Sports Thread #1 For 1/5/10: Matt Holliday Stays With The Cardinals/Randy Johnson To Retire

Photo from Getty Images' Jeff Gross

The Pujols protection agency is still in effect to the delight of Cardinals fans everywhere, and the dismay off the rest of the National League.

Holliday told ESPN Radio that he has decided to re-up with St. Louis following a protracted negotiation between his agent, Scott Boras, and the Redbirds.

"I'm excited about it," Holliday said.

Holliday has not signed a contract, but player and club have agreed to terms. Finalization of the deal is pending a physical exam. Boras confirmed that the guaranteed value of the seven-year contract is worth an even $17 million per year, including a full no-trade clause. The contract includes a $17 million vesting option for 2017, which will kick in if Holliday finishes in the top 10 in National League Most Valuable Player voting in 2016.

They clearly have overspent for him, but his value to that lineup as the number one enforcer for Pujols was just too much for them to pass up.

It does open up a major quagmire though with having to play Pujols more probably. And that maybe a little out of their resources indeed.

Meanwhile the legend that is Randy Johnson is retiring after 22 great years. Wow.