News from The Winter Meetings

Indianopolis

The current story? Well, after the Cardinals and Scott Boras met, with no resolution, we heard that the Cards are formulating contingency plans should Holliday depart, and one is to look at another of the team's free agents, Mark DeRosa, to replace Holliday in left field. The Cardinals also might inquire about the availability of Detroit's Brandon Inge and Washington's Adam Dunn.

Today, ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes reported via the Hot Stove that Boston is in the mix. Edes writes, the "Sox and Scott Boras talking on 'numerous' subjects, according to a baseball source. Matt Holliday is presumably at the top that list." Boston we know is also in on Jason Bay, most consider as the higher priority (and better value).

Also today, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark tweeted that "Cardinals telling teams they're talking to that they won't be letting their Matt Holliday limbo 'go on much longer,' perhaps suggesting that GM John Mozeliak could pull the plug on their efforts to retain Holliday, rather than allow agent Scott Boras to drive the market car. 

Ken Rosenthal reports that John Smoltz may still end up back in St. Louis.

The FOXSports.com reporter says that the Cardinals are not sold on Jaime Garcia as their fifth starter, and may look to Smoltz to fill that role. And if Garcia claims the role, the team could simply shift Smoltz to the bullpen. Seven other teams -- five in the NL -- have shown interest in the future Hall of Famer. He should have no trouble finding a job.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals manager Tony La Russa acknowledged Tuesday that his club has interest in free agent Miguel Tejada.

Speaking with a group of reporters, La Russa said he's hoping the Cardinals will find a No. 4 or No. 5 hitter on the market this winter. "I still think we have a better chance to have legitimate guys (who are already on the team) to hit in front of (Pujols)," La Russa said. "We could use the guy to hit behind him." Miguel Tejada, though climbing up in age, certainly comes close to fitting that bill. He batted .313/.340/.455 with 14 home runs and 86 RBI in 2009 and could slide into the Cardinals' opening at third base.