The Royals announced that they have non-tendered injured closer Greg Holland as well as infielder Orlando Calixte (Twitter link). Holland, who would have been arbitration eligible for the final time this winter and came with a projected $11.3MM price tag, will enter the free-agent pool.
It’s been known for quite some time that the Royals would non-tender Holland, who underwent Tommy John surgery earlier this year and missed the end of the season. Kansas City has expressed interest in working out a two-year contract that would allow the team to retain Holland, who was among the most dominant pitchers in baseball when healthy. Any contract would, of course, backload most of the salary into the second year of the deal, as Holland will almost certainly not take the mound in 2016 as he recovers from the operation.
Though it was a well-known possible outcome, the non-tender is nonetheless notable; due to the fact that the Royals weren’t able to strike up a two-year pact with Holland in advance of tonight’s deadline, he and agent Scott Boras will now have the opportunity to negotiate with all 29 other clubs to see if a more lucrative offer is available on the open market.
This wouldn’t be a bad time for a team to take a flier on him. Chances are you can grab him on a 3-4 year deal for a small fraction of what was previously expected. Think he would take 4/18-20 from someone?
Not a chance in hell you get him on a 4 year deal for peanuts
4 year deal for someone who had TJ surgery recently enough to even start rehabbing is an awful idea for both Holland and the team signing him. If he’s awful after surgery or complications happen, the team wastes money. If he’s amazing again Holland is screwing himself out of money. I think the best thing here for both sides would be a 2/8-12. Potential bargain/low risk for the team, 2 years to rebuild his value for Holland.
Yeah, no chance Scott Boras lets that happen. Look for a backloaded 2 year deal so he can get back on the market when he’s healthy.
Nope
No way, he would be asking for ATLEAST what O’Day is looking for… Surprising for me that he was non-tendered, but I guess it is the royals ;)
He was due 11.5 million next year before hitting free agency, and is already out for the year. Payroll constraints had nothing to do with it. Even the Dodgers would’ve non-tendered him