Former Royals closer and current free agent Greg Holland held a showcase for interested teams that was attended by roughly 18 clubs on Monday. Since that time, he’s been an oft-discussed name and has been connected to numerous clubs around the league. There’s yet to be an indication as to when or where the two-time All-Star will sign, but here’s the latest on his market…
- Agent Scott Boras told reporters today that Holland won’t be holding another showcase (Twitter link via MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan). While Holland’s velocity wasn’t anywhere near its previous levels, Boras noted that the workout demonstrated that his client is healthy, which is what teams were more interested in. Certainly, given the fact that Holland is just over a year removed from Tommy John surgery, it’s not a surprise that his fastball was topping out in the low 90s as opposed to his previous 96 mph average. It’s reasonable to expect his velocity to continue ramping up as he regains strength and further distances himself from his operation.
- Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star writes that Boras said Holland will be open to pitching in non-closing roles next season, so his market needn’t be limited to teams that have a potential vacancy in the ninth inning. Boras tabbed Holland as a potential “HeLP” pitcher — a “High-Leverage Premium” arm that could be used in a similar capacity to the way in which Kenley Jansen, Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman were used during the postseason. The Royals are believed to have interest in a Holland reunion, Dodd adds, although Boras told reporters that more than half of the teams in the league have reached out to him this week.
- The Red Sox are showing “strong” interest in Holland, tweets WEEI’s Rob Bradford, who adds that the right-hander will take about six weeks off following his showcase before he resumes his offseason throwing program. Boston already has a big-name closer in Craig Kimbrel, but they’re losing three setup arms in Brad Ziegler, Koji Uehara and Junichi Tazawa, so their interest in relief help is plenty logical.
- The Nationals watched Holland on Monday, writes Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post. General manager Mike Rizzo spoke a bit about Holland’s market, implying that an incentivized deal would be his preference in negotiations with Boras. “Those are usually deals that are heavily incentivized because if he pitches like Holland, he should be compensated for it,” said Rizzo. “But you also have to balance it off with the risk that the guy’s coming off Tommy John, didn’t pitch at all last year, and we’ve never seen him throw a pitch in anger since he’s come back. So you’re really going on track record, medical reports and what the doctor said. It’s a risky proposition.” Boras sounded open to a two-year deal that includes incentives when addressing the media following Monday’s showcase. Holland rated 23rd on MLBTR’s Top 50 Free Agent list, with our staff pegging him at two years and $18MM despite the lengthy layoff.
baileydogg
I’d like to see him in a Jay’s uniform but it feels a lot like a Drew Storen like situation.
grandplatinum
I hope if so not as a closer as I would hate to limit Ozuna’s awesomeness, but as a high powered setup man they could have a great 1-2 punch.
ccremer2
Why are arms like Tazawa and Ziegler so under appreciated? The hardest part of any Game I’ve watched this season is the bridge from starter to closer and these guys have proven to be great
johnsilver
Taz’s velocity has dipped down considerably since 2012. Fangraphs doesn’t really show it, tho when he came back from TJ? He was 94-97 and now last season he was only 92-93 for the most part. not to mention he has seemed to suffer from tired arm earlier in 2015 and 16 seasons.
Ziegler would like to have back, Koji also, but Ziegler seems like Dombrowski sees as incapable of getting lefties out and maybe DD thinks Koji at 42 would be too old.
Not a fan of paying Holland big dollars however for 1-2 seasons as in 8-10m per. I’d much rather give that to Ziegler than any health question and wait on Carson Smith.
diehardredsox baseball
Why would the Red Sox take a chance on another reliever coming off tommy john when they gave Carson smith also coming off tommy John.
Nick4747
Because it’s just $ no real long term obligation. If you hit big and he returns to form for the next 1.5 years (I don’t expect him to be the same till later in the season)you hit real big Holland to kimbrel and if smith is healthy by then that’s even better. And to have a healthy smith-Holland-kimbrel at least in 2018 why not you spend more on minor leaguers (Craig,Castillo)
diehardredsox baseball
Trade him for bucholz
SFgiantsUK
Think the best place for him is PIT.
mike156
Boras is smart. He’s shown the merchandise–the customers have seen enough–and there’s no point for to overexposure–let them dream about how fast the used sports car can go without really road testing it.. My guess is Boras wants either a solid multi-year deal, with a one year opt-out, or a higher dollar (with incentives) one-year so Holland can test the market again (or even be offered a QO)
williamawilson
wiki
brian6811
The Boston Red Sox need to sign Greg Holland, Aroldis Chapman and trade for Chris Sale.
Nick4747
They won the al east last season they don’t need to do that much unless they need to go all in they’re a young team that could stay pat and be a competitive team next year and be a favorite.
slider32
Teams like the Sox and Yanks are busts if they lose in the first round of the playoffs, they were the best team on paper!
ChiSoxCity
The Red Sox have lousy pitching. You can win a division with good offense and average pitching, but you won’t get far in the playoffs.
Nick4747
Lousy no they have a finalist for a cy young award another who led the league in innings a promising young pitcher in erod and a knuckle baller who had a great year and a better closer than either Chicago team have at the moment. And another all star pitcher last year. (I know his second half was bad) Could they use another pitcher sure almost any team would take it but the red sox are far from needing anything . Anything they get now is a luxury.
jrwhite21
No no no no no. No.
brian6811
If they do nothing else, they need to load up on the bullpen. A lot of money came off the books after the season. We no longer have Papi, Koji, Taz and Hannigan. That is over $30M off the books. The bullpen is good but it’s not going to get us to the World Series. Why settle? Sign Chapman for $20M per and Holland for $5-7M per. We don’t need Sale, but he would guarantee us a very good shot at the World Series.
redsox for_life
Sorry but we do need Sale!! Wt Porcello and Price not goin far!! Wright E-Rod and Pomeranz not good enouff!! Too much money for Champman!! 70/4 year
brian6811
Chapman would guarantee us the best bullpen in baseball though. The two headed monster of Kimbrel and Chapman would be unbeatable! Realistically, who do you want to give up for Sale?
redsox for_life
Bradley Devers Korpect and Marrero
brian6811
I’m fine with it as long as we a 100% Moncada is the real deal. Who do we trade for a setup man/centerfielder?
brian6811
Also, acquiring Sale would reduce a lot of the pressure on Price and Porcello among the others.
redsox for_life
Yes!!! You put Sale first then Porcelo and Price then Wrigrt ERod or Pomeranz