The Rangers are discussing a reunion with free agent lefty Derek Holland, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. The hurler is said to be “intrigued” at the possibility of returning to his original professional organization.
Holland’s time with the Rangers came to a disappointing end after the 2016 season. He had battled through injuries but not proven capable of recapturing his former promise, leading the club to decline an option and bring an end to the extension he had signed just before the 2012 campaign.
That looked like a wise call after Holland’s forgettable 2017 showing with the White Sox, which left him sifting through minor-league offers in the ensuing winter. Holland wisely settled on a match with the Giants, who had ample and early opportunity on offer.
As it turned out, Holland would turn in more productive innings tan he had since way back in 2013, which stands as his most successful season in the bigs. The lefty worked to a 3.57 ERA in 171 1/3 innings in San Francisco, with a career-high 8.9 K/9 against 3.5 BB/9.
Now 32, Holland is certain to draw MLB offers from multiple teams. He showed an ability to function as both a starter and reliever while sitting at a 10.1% swinging-strike rate that’s near his career peak. As Grant points out, the veteran hurler was outstanding against same-handed hitters, who managed only a .164/.252/.189 batting line against him, so there’d certainly be some intriguing possibilities even if Holland is not utilized as a rotation piece.
MLBTR predicted that Holland would secure a two-year, $15MM deal, though it’s worth noting that some other similarly situated starters have failed to secure second seasons of guaranteed money. Of course, the Rangers themselves somewhat surprisingly promised a third year to Lance Lynn, who was recently added to the staff. The nature and degree of the club’s interest in Holland may well depend upon the outcome of its recent talks surrounding fellow southpaw Mike Minor.
Holland had his greatest success with the Texas Rangers. Hopefully, he recaptures some 2013 season magic.
Shocking
Not going to lie, I thought a SFG reunion was practically guaranteed because of how they rejuvenated his career, but this makes sense too
I’ve followed Holland since that bizarre ACL injury, which how he suffered, remains a mystery. (I don’t believe his side of story) Nonetheless, think injury may have directly/indirectly led to his decline and good to see him back
Don’t count the Giants out just yet. This is just a rumor. Lol
This seems like one of those “We have a two year deal” & SF firm “one year deal” situation.
This is the same team that gave Lynn 3 years. (Still cant get over regardless peripherals srry)
With regards to my other post, think that specific ACL injury led to decline, not myriad of other injuries Holland may have suffered
I would think resigning with SF would be his best option. In all his bad years he was prone to the long ball, White Sox and Rangers stadiums are sand boxes. Would love for him to resign for 2 years
The Rangers stadium is no longer what you claim. That reputation came because of poor planning of luxury boxes creating a wind tunnel effect to RF. That has since been corrected and the stadium plays closer to even than before.
I agree,after all it is a business
Both stadiums are 7th and 9th in HR/9in out of 30 stadiums while SF in 30th so…
I agree: keep the success going. He got shelled pitching in Arlington when he returned on the White Sox. Maybe the new park opening in 2020 will be a little more pitcher friendly, and that (with the indisputable desperation for starting pitching) could speak to going a bit longer on Lynn; going after a reunion with The Dutch Oven.
Or 2017 magic
Meet me halfway, How about “2018 magic”?
2018: Highest SO/9 of his career, lowest Hits per 9 of his career. Starts (30) and IP most since 2013.
Truth of the matter is I actually meant to put 2018 haha!
Hot Pockets
He’s actually been pretty good in the years since recovering from his major injury, with the major problem (for the majors) that he couldn’t go more than a handful or two of starts before he hit the wall physically. Each year, he would dominate for a few games, then hit the wall, and was the horrible numbers you see in his seasonal stats. If he was DLed during the season, he would come back, dominate, then lose it all again. He probably would have been better off relieving when he came back.
In 2017, he stretched it out to 10 starts before losing it, In 2018, he had his first rough start to the season, but after May 8th, and including a rest period in July when he was moved briefly to the bullpen, he had a 3.04 ERA, in 29 appearances, with 23 starts.. So the skill was always there, but the stamina wasn’t.
He was one of the few bright spots in a down year for the Giants. He went out there and competed, and always maintained a great attitude. I wish him the best no matter where he lands.
So I’ll admit I dont know much about the Ranger’s situation. But what would keep them from going after Machado? They have a history of spending big, and they have (sort of) spent money on pitching already.
Machado probably wants to win.
Rangers don’t have much money to spend until they get rid of the Choo contract.
Thinking about Hamels, I doubt he’ll have anywhere near the season he had pitching at AT&T, that he will in Texas.
One of the only reasons Holland was good was because he was playing in a pitchers ball park. If he comes back to globe life I can almost guarantee he’ll go back to being a 5+ ERA pitcher.
You obviously talk out of your neck with limited knowledge. I dont have his stats in front of me, but as a fan who actually watches the games, I can tell you he did just about as well on the road as he did at home.
Maybe you should look at his stats. Home/road splits aren’t entirely illustrative since pitching in the NL West means a lot of games in 2 pitcher’s and 2 hitter’s parks, besides AT&T. He pitched well in LA, not so much in SD, and he got hit hard in AZ and Col.
His home/road ERA looks good, 3.51/3.63, but That’s probably due to a favorable .277 BABIP on the road, and the .313 BABIP at home. He gave up a lot more HRs on the road, 1 per every 6 1/3 innings on the road, and only 1 in over 16 1/3 innings at home. He walked a lot more batters on the road as well 4.23/9, than he did at home, 2.65/9.
His ERA probably won’t balloon up to 5.00, but there is no way he delivers the same kind of performance to the Rangers that he did for the Giants.
Thank you!
Well, while you are right that his 3.57 ERA is not sustainable, his FIP was only 3.87 and his DRA was 3.80, while xFIP not that far behind at 4.07. Combine that with average NL starting pitcher ERA of 4.00, Holland was above average in 2018 with the Giants, and, if healthy, should not be that far away from duplicating his success in 2019,.
Though pitching in a hitter’s park like Texas, yeah, I can see his ERA ballooning up, not sure what he’s thinking talking about going back there, unless they are offering way above other teams.
He pitched well on the road too last year,don’t care about stats,saw it,try again
I’m surprised more teams aren’t pursuing him.
Hope the Rangers make this happen on a 2-3 year contract, He has a Brother here locally that is pushing for him to come back as well.
Holland can only come back to the Rangers if he passes a physical…and proves he can now grow a full mustache.
Astros should look into him. They lost Morton to FA, likely will be the same with Keuchel. Adds a solid RHP to the rotation.
is he ambidextrous
Oh oops.
lol
As much as the Rangers need pitching and with two starters (Volquez and Smyly) coming off TJS, they could (and arguably should) probably sign another starter with or without trading Minor
Oh God no please.
Watching his starts were so painful. He works slow and looks like he’s about to cry when the going gets rough. And I watched every single one when he was in Texas.
After he stopped throwing 94-95 on the fastball after like 2013 I think, batters started squaring his fastball up a lot more. That led to more homers and more crying face in the dugout. I’m not looking at stats but just the eyeball test said that he couldn’t survive in a small park with avg velocity.
I think he’s my least favorite pitcher to watch in the entire league. It seemed (once again seemed) like he always cratered at the end of a season. So he would come out of the gate with great numbers and the second half’s were always God awful so he’d end up with ok numbers.
NO THANKS!
I wonder if Derek has ever been to Holland?
Not sure but he does come from a long line of Hollands, why his dad was a Holland..
Will he bring his awful Arnold and Harry Caray impressions back with him?
Holland, like Lynn, is a guy who has no-doubt ability, but is built for the National League. While Holland probably just goes where the money is, I can’t see these signings going particularly well for the Rangers.
That being said, if he comes cheap enough, screw it, limited risk. Just don’t go 3/$30m on him.
He can come back if he has developed new material. His Harry Carry bits were getting REALLY old.