by BY DERRICK GOOLD ¿ dgoold@post-dispatch.com > 314-340-8285 , St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"We need to spend some time with Matt and his agent and share what our vision is, what we have to offer, and at some point I'm sure we will," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said. "But at the same time, that's part of why we traded for him, to get him here, and at some point you'd think he has a pretty good idea of what we have to offer. ... Most players, if they haven't agreed to terms at this point, it means they are working their way to the open market."

With the final pitch of the World Series on Wednesday night, the 15-day period for players to file as free agents began Thursday. Holliday filed immediately, and the Cardinals and his agent, Scott Boras, both expect Holliday to reach the open market 14 days from today. Eight other Cardinals , not including released reliever Brad Thompson, are eligible for free agency. Mark DeRosa has expressed a wish to test the open market, and pitcher John Smoltz, while sharing a mutual interest in a return to the Cardinals , has said he doesn't expect to sign until later in the offseason.

The Cardinals have maintained dialogue with the representatives for several of their free agents, including Smoltz, but Mozeliak said he doesn't expect hasty resolutions before free agency starts. That is especially true with Holliday.

"I don't think that is our pace to set," he said.

The next two weeks offer clubs such as the Cardinals the exclusive right to negotiate with their own free agents, but that doesn't limit the 29 other teams from talking to all free agents once they've filed. During this period, every team can talk length of contract, clubhouse culture, school system, alternate-jersey colors, cost of living - whatever they want but financial terms.

Only the original club can talk cash.

On Thursday, the Los Angeles Angels exploited the 15-day window by completing a two-year, $19 million deal with All-Star outfielder Bobby Abreu. For the most part, such deals are rare. Officials and a few agents contacted described the window as valuable time teams can use to lay groundwork for deals - but rarely to complete them.

"It is an opportunity for the club to put its best offer on the table, before the bidding process begins," said Joe Urbon, who represents All-Star outfielder Jason Bay. The Boston Red Sox have stated an interest in re-signing the left fielder, even reportedly offering an extension before the end of the regular season.

"The reality is, it's rare for a player and a club to come to an agreement during this period," Urbon continued. "That said, our intention is to listen to the Red Sox during this window. But if time runs out on getting a deal done and the bidding process begins, I am very confident the Red Sox will continue their pursuit of Jason and Jason will continue to be interested."

Holliday and Bay represent the tip of a top-heavy free-agent class that is short of surefire impact bats, the kind of which the Cardinals crave. Beyond the two left fielders, there is Vladimir Guerrero, who is in the waning years of his career, and three New York Yankees outfielders - Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and Xavier Nady. There are a few options dangling out there for Tampa Bay outfielder Carl Crawford, LA Dodgers outfielder Manny Ramirez and Arizona pitcher Brandon Webb that would change the landscape of the free-agent talent.

Mozeliak acknowledged a need to work parallel tracks to be sure the Cardinals don't get caught all-in on Holliday. He declined to talk specific targets. It's likely the Cardinals will keep tabs on the Bay sweepstakes even while focusing on Holliday.

Holliday's agent, Boras, has described his client as a "franchise player" and is therefore deserving of a franchise player's contract. Boras has talked about Holliday commanding what Gold Glove first baseman Mark Teixeira got from the Yankees - eight years, $180 million. Any deal also will include a no-trade clause, Boras said. The industry expectation is for Holliday to come closer to a six-year deal. With an extension for Albert Pujols also a goal of the Cardinals , Holliday could test the club's ability to stomach a $100 million deal and an even wealthier one for Pujols. Cardinals' officials insist no formal offer has been made to Holliday.

"It's a market that provides opportunity," Mozeliak said of the coming free-agent pool. "What we experienced this past year is we traded a lot of players to put together our team for 2009. We're not working from the same reserve we had. We have to look at this (free-agent market) as our chance to improve our club. We've never relied on the free-agent market completely to do that, but we want to make sure we don't miss any opportunity."

DeRosa, coming off wrist surgery, figures to field an offer from the Chicago Cubs, at the least. He and Chone Figgins are two of the best utility players in the game, and both are free agents. The other Cardinals free agents are righthander Todd Wellemeyer, center fielder Rick Ankiel, shortstop Khalil Greene, third baseman Troy Glaus, backup catcher Jason LaRue, and starter Joel Pi?eiro, who hits free agency after a career year.

Last year's free-agent market was slow to develop partially because of the economic chill, one that is still sending shivers through some clubs. Boras is famous for slow-playing his top client, in this case Holliday, and luring the big-market clubs into the bidding. The interest in Holliday is certain to influence the interest in Bay, and vice versa.

"We know that if Bay reaches free agency, a number of additional clubs will be bidding for his services," Urbon said. "Big-market clubs. Small-market clubs. East Coast and West Coast clubs. Clubs who believe they are one impact player away from reaching the World Series and clubs who believe they are one impact player away from winning their division. Certainly, where Bay ends up at the end of this process is anyone's guess."

Unless it happens in the next two weeks.

There is only one team that can pull that off - Boston.

The expectation around Baseball, however, is that only when this 15-day window closes will the view of the market for the free agents start gaining clarity. That, several Cardinals officials said, is how they see the courtship of Holliday developing.

"I think the other side will know who is out there and interested," Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said. "So there's a little more clarity than there is right now. I don't know how that plays out. Some of the bigger free agents with Scott have always taken longer. ... We'll see."

Holliday shoppers

One of the biggest names available in Baseball's free-agent market this winter is Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday, who filed for free agency Thursday. The All-Star and former batting champ is certain to draw suitors from both leagues and both coasts. Some franchises who have the need and the financialwherewithal to do some Holliday shopping: One of the biggest names available in Baseball's free-agent market this winter is Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday, who filed for free agency Thursday. The All-Star and former batting champ is certain to draw suitors from both leagues and both coasts. Some franchises who have the need and the financialwherewithal to do some Holliday shopping:

Cardinals The local club has expressed a willingness to spend, especially if it means uniting Holliday and Albert Pujols for years to come.

BOSTON Red Sox The Red Sox have publicly stated a desire to re-sign Jason Bay. Still, the Red Sox have the pocketbook to upend any courtship they get involved in.

NEW YORK Yankees The Yankees appear tepid on Holliday, but agent Scott Boras is known for dragging Yankees into the discussion to drive price (see: Carlos Beltran).

SAN FRANCISCO Giants The Giants crave an offensive infusion. Word is they are eyeing Bay, but Holliday would radically enhance their lineup.

LOS ANGELES Angels The Angels have a history of splurging on outfielders and now they have an opening, with the potential need to replace Vlad Guerrero.

NEW YORK Mets The Mets need a jolt, they have the budget, and reports out of Queens have them eyeing Holliday as a fit for their needs.

LOS ANGELES Dodgers If Manny Ramirez stuns the industry and opts out of his option, that could give the Dodgers license to plunge into the derby for Holliday or Bay.

ATLANTA Braves The Braves are in need of an outfielder and a bat, but are expected to be a fringe suitor for Holliday due to the high cost.

FREE-FOR-ALL

Baseball's free-agent market opens two weeks from today, but that doesn't mean the best talent will be available from Day One. With several teams poised to non-tender some young players, this year's free-agent pool could arrive in waves and change the look of what otherwise is a steep drop from the top-tier to a wider range of mid-level players. After Matt Holliday, here are five of the most appealing players set to be free agents:

Jason Bay, OF (Boston) - A near twin to Holliday, who is slightly older, Bay has proved effective in Baseball's cauldron, the AL East, where he hit 36 homers and drove in 119 runs for Boston this year.

John Lackey, RHP (LA Angels) - The strapping, 6-foot-6 Texan would make a superb No. 2 for a title contender, but with seven consecutive seasons of 10 wins, a run of 30-start seasons and a career 3.81 ERA he's going to get No. 1 money.

Chone Figgins, 3B (LA Angels) - Doesn't have the name recognition of fellow Angels' free agent Vladimir Guerrero, but then Guerrero no longer has his MVP legs under him. Figgins is the super-utility All-Star speedster who could play at many positions and will have a market of many teams.

Aroldis Chapman, LHP (Cuba) - The Cardinals have talked with the lefty's agents, but the price is expected to soar for the 21-year-old defector and his 100-plus-mph fastball. He has met with teams like the Yankees and Red Sox in tour of suitors.

Jason Marquis, RHP (Colorado) - Sure, he doesn't have the wattage or r?sum? of other free agents, but check the teams that woo him for a spot at the back of their rotation. He has made the postseason 10 consecutive seasons - every year he has been in the majors - and in his role could be a barometer for the next playoff club.

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