Speaking on the latest edition of ‘Cardinal Territory,’ former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder (and team Hall of Famer) Matt Holliday discussed the mindset of the organization heading into the Winter Meetings, which begin on Sunday in Orlando, Fla.

Yeah, I think you’re always gauging, I think as you head into the Winter Meetings, I think you want to try to meet with as many teams as possible about pretty much every player on your roster. I mean, I think the (Willson) Contreras opportunity, to gauge what interest people have in him. I think, obviously, you’re trying to move on the (Nolan) Arenado. Maybe you make a preemptive strike with Boston, or you try to find a team that’s looking for a third baseman. You try to maybe work something out.

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I think like Lance (Lynn) said, you just take a gauge on what people are willing to give you for (Lars) Nootbaar and (Alec) Burleson and (Brendan) Donovan. And if it matches your window, which I think we would all agree is probably not this year, maybe even not next year, if it matches your window to try to win a World Series, which just in my opinion, is at least two years away, if it matches your window better to trade Donovan, Burleson, or Nootbaar, then you listen.

And like Lance said, I don’t know what the other teams think of them as far as what they would give up. But I think you listen, and if it matches your window, then I think you consider moving all of them. And so that would be what I would probably go into the Winter Meetings thinking.

The Cardinals will certainly be one of the most talked about teams at the Winter Meetings, but it will be for exactly what said Holliday – trade rumors of the negative variety. The Cardinals have already traded Sonny Gray to the Red Sox, with the possibility of each player he mentioned going next.

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Donovan is already drawing widespread interest because of his bat-to-ball skills, affordable contract (two years remaining of arbitration eligibility), and positional flexibility (second base or the outfield). Nootbaar is also an intriguing case, but after dueling foot procedures this offseason, it’s unclear if he’ll be ready by Opening Day.

The Cardinals finished in fourth place in the National League Central this past season, finishing behind the Brewers, Cubs and Cincinnati Reds.

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