Matt Holliday announced today, Tuesday, January 5, 2009, that he will be staying in St. Louis for seven more years. Yes!! It took three and a half months and two contract bumps, but it finally payed off. Holliday’s contract was signed at $17 million a year for seven years, $119 million total. This is the biggest contract in club history; $19 million more than Albert Pujols’ $100 million seven year contract. Pujols is earning $14 million a year. Holliday’s contract also includes a $17 million vesting option for 2017, which will kick if he finishes in the top 10 in NL MVP voting in the 2016 season. Of course if Pujols decides to re-sign with the Cardinals before 2012, it will most likely be a bigger contract than Matt’s. Next year may be Albert’s last official year as a Cardinal not including the club option, but we will have Holliday to fill that number 3 spot if Pujols decides to go elsewhere.