The Rangers are "on the verge" of signing left-hander Derek Holland to a contract extension, reports Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. The deal would be for at least five years (though the 2016 season), overriding Holland's near-league minimum salary for this season and covering his three arbitration years and his first year of free agency.
We heard in December that the two sides were discussing a five-year extension with an option for a sixth year, though talks were thought to be shelved in January. MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith considered that extensions given to such pitchers as Jon Lester, Ricky Romero and Yovani Gallardo (five years for around $30MM) were "unavoidable points of reference" for a possible Holland extension.
The Rangers have also signed Nelson Cruz and Elvis Andrus to extensions this offseason, though those contracts were just for two and three years, respectively, and only covered each player's arbitration seasons. Obviously Texas has more interest in locking Holland up for the longer-term, given that Cruz is 31 and Andrus could be made expendable in a few years by top shortstop prospect Jurickson Profar.
Holland, 25, was a key part of the Texas rotation last season, posting a 3.95 ERA in 32 starts with a 46.4% ground ball rate and a 2.42 K/BB ratio. He also threw a gem in Game Four of the World Series, shutting out the Cardinals on just two hits over 8 1/3 innings. Holland is represented by Martini Sports Management.
Lock up the Dutch Oven!
Just once, I want to read on traderumors that (athlete’s name) is represented by Prestige WorldWide
Just once, I want to read on traderumors that (athlete’s name) is represented by Prestige WorldWide
Just once, I want to read on traderumors that (athlete’s name) is represented by Prestige WorldWide
Good move. I think Holland is really going to take off this year. Hes got nasty stuff, and he’s learning more and more how to pitch. All you have to do is look at his start in the World Series to see that he has the tools to be their ace in the near future.
He has no doubt come a long way within the last year. Seeing him pitch in 2010, his stuff was all over the plate and had a tough time finding the strike zone. You knew with his stuff that if he could command it more and locate his pitches with confidence, then he was going to be something special. However in 2011, he looked like a complete different pitcher. If he can continue to improve and pitch with confidence, than he’s going to be a very nice piece in the Ranger’s rotation for years to come.
take off? He was pretty darn impressive LAST YEAR
I don’t know, 7.4k/9 & a 113 era+ seems like he’s barely just scratched the surface considering the talent at hand. He bumps those up to 8.5 & 125 and the Rangers will be glad they jumped on the opportunity.
Man, are the Rangers going to end up letting both Napoli & Hamilton walk? Maybe Napoli will be much cheaper then the figures floating in my head (70-80m), but I don’t think that turns out terribly well. For some reason both of those guys bring Juan Gonzalez to mind and the 8/140m the Tigers offered only to be denied. One of those deals you’d regret in a matter of months, like Hamilton playing in 30 games in 2013 and Napoli hitting .250. Will be interesting to see how Jon Daniels approachs next off-season and the years beyond. To die hard Ranger fans out there, if the team had to choose only one, which would they take on the following terms:
Mike Napoli – 5/75m
Josh Hamilton – 6/135m
I think I’d take my draft picks, welcome the larger draft pool and look to spend the money elsewhere. If I had to pick I’d probably gamble on Hamilton. Curious though.
Supposedly, if you go with the “unnamed source” (yes, I know…), Napoli does not even want the crazy $15M/year that Yadier got. He just wants a good contract for ~5 years so he can stay in Texas.
I think the Rangers let Hamilton walk, as he has upset several in the front office with his comments, and badly wants to test Free Agency. As great as Hamilton is/has been, let another team overpay for an injury-prone 31-year-old.
Supposedly, if you go with the “unnamed source” (yes, I know…), Napoli does not even want the crazy $15M/year that Yadier got. He just wants a good contract for ~5 years so he can stay in Texas.
I think the Rangers let Hamilton walk, as he has upset several in the front office with his comments, and badly wants to test Free Agency. As great as Hamilton is/has been, let another team overpay for an injury-prone 31-year-old.
Dude’s awesome just cause of his impression of harry caray on that weather show
Now that Wilson’s gone, who starts on opening day for Texas? Lewis, because he’s the most tenured member of the group?
Probably the 110M Darvish.
Probably…not.
Yes Lewis was announced a while back. He deserves the nod for his postseason runs.
I like Holland. He’s a good pitcher and I’m of the opinion that he is underrated.
Next is…
a) Napoli
b) Hamilton
c) both
d) neither
Obviously I’m hoping C, but I have a feeling they’ll only lock up one.
Ideally, e) Kinsler.
There’s absolutely no way they lock up Hamilton and Napoli.
Ideally, e) Kinsler.
There’s absolutely no way they lock up Hamilton and Napoli.
I wonder if there is a clause that prevents him from growing that terrrrrible mustache.