Bigger Impact for the Boston Red Sox: Matt Holliday or Adrian Gonzalez?

Left fielder Matt Holliday of the St. Louis Cardinals and first baseman Adrian Gonzalez of the San Diego Padres.

If Theo Epstein can't lock up Jason Bay to a long-term deal, the Sox need to find someone to replace the 2009 Silver Slugger award recipient.

Holliday, 29, struggled when he played in the American League with the Oakland Athletics.

In 93 games with the A's he hit .286 with 11 home runs, 54 RBI, 23 doubles, 1 triple, 12 stolen bases, 46 walks, and 58 strikeouts.

In 63 games with the Cardinals, Holliday batted .353 with 13 HR, 55 RBI, 16 doubles, 2 triples, 2 SB, 26 BB, and 43 strikeouts.

Though he totaled 27 HR and 109 RBI and a .313 BA, would Holliday again struggle if the Sox signed him to play in a tougher AL?

Gonzalez, 27, batted .277 in 160 games with 40 HR, 99 RBI, 27 doubles, 2 triples, 119 BB, and 101 strikeouts.

Now with Jed Hoyer as the new Padres General Manager, there are speculations that a trade could be more likely between them and the Red Sox.

With Victor Martinez as the every day catcher, Gonzalez could play first base, Kevin Youkilis would move across the diamond to third, and perhaps Mike Lowell could become the designated hitter/third baseman.

It's still unknown about David Ortiz, but he is clearly not the answer as the every day DH.

If Epstein can re-sign Bay and also plant Gonzalez, the Sox lineup would be pretty lethal and finally match up to the New York Yankees.

Who would Sox fans rather see? Holliday or Gonzalez?