Amidst the whirlwind of rumors and action leading up to the trade deadline, one notable transaction may have flown under the radar. After being released by the Cardinals, Greg Holland (he of a 7.92 ERA and as many walks as strikeouts) is officially a free agent and can be signed by any team… if they think he’s worth a roster spot.
Here’s the latest on the 2017 NL saves leader…
- According to agent Scott Boras, Holland has “received five or six calls from teams” (h/t Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe). Of course, it’s not clear exactly what level of interest these teams might have in actually signing the right-hander, who can be added for just the pro-rated portion of the league minimum salary (leaving the Cardinals on the hook for the prorated portion of the one-year, $14MM contract they signed him to at the end of March).
- Elsewhere in Boston media, Sean McAdam of the Boston Sports Journal reports that the Red Sox aren’t among the teams to have allegedly inquired on Holland. However, the club is “open to continuing to look at the relief market”, per McAdam. Boston’s bullpen has been one of the best in baseball so far this season, compiling a combined 3.35 ERA that ranks fifth-best in baseball thanks in part to excellent performances by Craig Kimbrel, Matt Barnes and Heath Hembree.
think the dodgers might want to see if they can sign him … low risk high reward…
On a minors contract.
Makes sense.
He’s terrible because he has no chance of locating his slider. He’s scared to throw his soft fast ball to set up said slider too. Enjoy walks and runs? Sign this smuck.
Makes sense to me too
They should give him a shot.
I wonder if the Mets would sign him to a 2 year deal, Eiland would know him well from the Royals. and if he doesnt turn it around, well, it’s the mets
Mets shouldn’t be adding anyone, but he does fit their MO…
shouldn’t? why?
It’s the Mets. They should be subtracting first, hoping for some waiver wire trades, and getting adds in prospects. Since their punting the season and living in denial again for 2019, there’s really no immediate hope for Mets fans.
The whole point that the original comment was making is that if the Mets sign Holland, it wouldn’t be an immediate fix. If they theoretically signed him to a 2-year deal, they’d hope to catch lightning in a bottle and snatch a prospect or two for him.
That’s exactly what a team “punting the season” should do. If he still sucks then they’re not really any worse off but if they hit on him and trade him then they basically get a free prospect out of it.
I watched their game yesterday (deGrom drove in their only run), and the state of that team on the field is just shameful. They’re obviously out of the race, but instead of calling up younger players to get some reps, they have Bautista, Reyes, and Jackson in the lineup, and the results speak for themselves. Frazier pretty much fits into the same category, but he’s signed for 2019 also. Do the Mets just not have anyone in AAA who have more upside than the aging, unproductive veterans who are just burning ABs this season?
You do not just focus on subtracting first. You need to do whatever improves the team. If your GM’s cant do more than one thing at a time they should be let go. I am not saying they need Holland. Just saying you have to be able to not just focus on one aspect at a time.
Certainly not saying they need or even should sign Holland. But there’s no reason to NOT sign him. Their AAA pen options are a mess, so they’re not hurting any development by having him. Maybe he turns it around and they can get something for him in 3 wks. Not likely but possible. Or if they sign him to a cheap 2nd year and flip him next year. May not be much if any upside, but there is zero downside to say they SHOULDN’T.
Maybe San Diego should pick him up. He fits their M.O. too.
I agree with you, Hosmer and Strahm are there. There is no pressure, I could see a fit for sure in San Diego for Holland.
Oh and some guy named Darren Balsley.
Why? Is he injured?
Don’t think he is so much as injured; Holland has singl hadedly lost games for the Cards. He does not seem to care. Buyer Beware!
What would you pay him on a two year deal?
$14 million plus one year at league minimum…
Is it possible a “bidding war” could break out for him? It isn’t mandatory that the team that signs him pay “only” the pro-rated league minimum, right?
Good question. I think it’s mandatory, I don’t know if he can void the $14M contract he already has.
the Cards are on the hook for everything but the prorated minimum. He can be signed for more, which would nothing to do with the 14m contract. That’s guaranteed regardless.
What dumb A team would sign him for more than minimum? That’s idiotic!
I think Holland May have more issues that show on the surface. I don’t think his demise is all about pitching
I don’t think he can have two contracts at the same time, so if he negotiated a new contract for 2018, then I think the Cards contract would be ripped up.. I guess you could sign him to an extension and keep the current deal? I don’t know.
He is guaranteed to earn the $14 mil. If another team offers him more than the minimum, that amount over the minimum will be deducted from what the Cards owe. Only way for him to earn more would be for a team to sign him for an amount equal to or more than the amount the Cards already owe. Say he is owed $6m by the cards. If another teams signs him and agrees to pay $8mil for the rest of the season the Cards would then be off the hook. That won’t happen.
This is actually what is correct. The minimum is only a thing because it takes up a roster spot and all teams are required to pay at least the roster spot cost otherwise they’d be in trouble (with the Union I assume) with not having the money go to a minor leaguer.
Not mandatory for the next team to pay the minimum, but the prior team is responsible no matter what for the prior contract’s guarantee minus whatever the next team pays.
The player cannot earn more than the prior guarantee unless his new team were to sign him for an even greater total salary for the rest of the year (unlikely in this case as it would require a new team to offer Holland more than the pro-rated $14MM he’s being paid by STL.
Unless holland feels guilty for being a terrible sign and wants to hurt his market by demanding more. It’s just a who’s going to offer him the best opportunity. He can however leverage for a mutual option for next season, maybe with a buyout? That would effectively be how a bidding war could take place.
I think the only “ bidding” would be about a minor league deal or a guaranteed roster spot at the MLB level. Others have explained why in good order. So that’s all that is left to really leverage
A’s all over…
Ray Searage can fix Holland. The Pirates should go snag him.
To add to our stable of righties…
As I said earlier it may not be mechanics. It may be something totally different that Searage or any other pitching coach can’t fix
Loving this mysterious speculation.
Could be just having to play in St. Louis…
Maybe so. There was a lot of pressure. St Louis is a passionate baseball town. Two of the funnest road games I’ve ever gone to.
This guy got lucky on two guys five years ago and people still act like he’s some kind of pitching guru…
I’m a Pirates fan, and I agree with your statement.
And just throw a million fastballs? The Astros seem to be the team that would fix him with their analytics and his need to improve his best weapon his slider.
I think fans of most contenders in need of bullpen help would like their team to take a chance on him. I wouldn’t mind the Braves taking a flyer. Not sure whom they would cut. Jackson?
If they cut Luke Jackson he’ll still be back again next week
True
I would only use him in the 6th or 7th inning with at least a 5 or 6 run lead, and have him on a very short leash. Most of his walks turned into runs while pitching for the Cardinals. He was horrible.
If there are positions open for a sixth or seventh inning guy who will only pitch when he has a minimum 5 run lead AND will have a short leash… I’d like to apply, please.
Addendum: I can be had for less than $14 million…
Wonder if Shawn Kelley would sign up for that now?
Another possible Don Cooper project. The Sox did a nice job with Soria, before trading him.
And a wonderful job with Shields and Pelfrey. Really turned them around.
Since the Rangers traded off there closer it would make perfect since for them to go after him and sign him
Mets are the perfect situation for him to go to. No closer to prevent him from taking the job immediately, work with his old pitching coach, and big ballpark.
The consensus seems to be this:
With the Cards still paying his salary, Holland would be a useful addition to the roster of __________!
As a Cubs fan, I don’t want him anywhere near their bullpen. He’s burnt toast.
d you think the minnesota twins would target him at all
Sure the Twins can target him. They play at Target Field….
You guys are on the dot.
Holland is trash.
Holland hasn’t been good since the all star break last season. He had very similar results after July with the Rockies.
Unless a playoff contender plans on using him in low leverage situations it is a risk to get him. Non playoff teams have no incentive to get him since he’s a free agent at the end of the year anyway.
Wade Davis W/l 1-5 6 Blown saves ERA 5.09,,,,,,,,,24 walks in 46 ip
The Cardinals, got rid of Oh and paid Holland $14 million. Oh is the better pitcher and he was misused by Matheny.
Everyone in the Cards bullpen was misused by Matheny.
He needs to spend a a week or two in the minors to get straightened out and get called up before roster expansion. Doesn’t deserve a big league roster spot until he proves it.
Putting myself in Holland’s shoes, I would look for a team that could offer save opportunities, preferably with a large ballpark. A contender can’t offer that. San Diego, Kansas City and Detroit could all be fits.
Greg Holland sucked ass this year. Why would anyone want him
StLouis worse mistake since STEVE CARLTON TRADE.HOLLAND WAS PURELY AWEFUL.
IDK, the Keith Hernandez trade was pretty bad. Also not a fan of the Van Slyke trade, but it wasnt horrible.
Sign with Os, throw good innings and get traded to contender for more international money end of August.
ERA is important but Matt Barnes’ history of giving up walks remains a big time playoff concern.
I wish Holland the best of luck. He signed so late, he had no chance to prepare for the season. Next year will be his year.
Jays
You say
No way
Jose
He will wait to sign on with a team until rosters expand and then a contender can take the chance on him
All lies.
Since pitching in the NL, he is viewed as an additional bat. Has been seen fielding balls as first as well. 3x threat.