Free agent righty Greg Holland took the hill for scouts yesterday as he sets the stage for his return to action. The former Royals closer missed all of 2016 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and he’ll play an interesting role in the market with multiple big-payroll clubs among those seeking power arms at the back of their respective bullpens. Despite the long injury layoff, MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes rates Holland 23rd in earning power among free agents, noting that a wide variety of organizations could pursue him. Joel Sherman of the New York Post covered the showcase, and we’ve also heard additional reports about which teams were represented.
Here’s the latest:
- The most important aspect of the appearance was Holland’s health, and Sherman writes that scouts came away feeling optimistic in that regard after seeing 35 pitches. Though the typically fireballing righty sat in the 89 to 90 mph range with his fastball, he’s obviously still building up arm strength. One scout explained that Holland worked with “good extension” in showing off his heater and ballyhooed slider, suggesting he’s ready to continue working back to his prior form.
- Agent Scott Boras argued that his client, who’ll soon turn 31, represents a great value for teams unwilling or unable to sign top closers Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, and Mark Melancon. He predicted a multi-year deal, with a two-year arrangement laden with incentives possibly making sense for all involved. It remains to be seen just how much cash teams will be willing to promise Holland, who had faltered in 2015 while pitching through the elbow problems that ultimately resulted in surgery. But the upside is undeniable:Â from 2011 through 2014, he compiled 256 1/3 innings of 1.86 ERA pitching with 12.6 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9.
- All told, about sixty scouts were on hand to watch, says Sherman, with about 18 clubs putting eyes on the righty. We had previously heard that the Giants, Red Sox, Rangers, and Yankees would be joined by the Twins in attendance. Sherman notes that GM Bobby Evans and a top scouting exec were on hand for the closing-needy Giants, with the Yankees also sending top talent evaluators. He also lists the Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Phillies as organizations that sent reps. The Royals, too, were watching their former hurler, MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan tweets, as were the division-rival Tigers, per MLB.com’s Jason Beck (Twitter link). And the two top NL East clubs — the Nationals and Mets — were also intrigued enough to send scouts, according to Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post (via Twitter) and ESPNNewYork.com’s Adam Rubin.
Good buy low for yankees . need bullpen help badly.
Bestances>Holland>Chapman would be deadly
Agree
And everyone else
The problem is all these teams are interested in him and he’s no longer going to be asking for a “buy low” contract. I’d love to see the Yankees sign him though
I would hope that the DBacks sent scouts to the showcase. They have too much need in the bullpen for them to not at least look into checking out Holland.
Our bullpen needs a couple arms, hopefully we can get Holland.
I think there will be a bidding war for him, medium salary lot of incentives
The Mets don’t need him. After their last major showcase, where they got Tebow, all holes on the roster are filled. Can I get an amen?
Amen
Boras in his patented hype mode. No contender will sign Holland as their closer and few will offer more than one guaranteed year. The risk can’t be hidden behind performance bonuses. Even Boras has to know his client’s best interests are served by him taking one year, most likely in a setup role behind an established closer, to rebuild value. That is, if he believes he can rebuild value instead of this being his client’s last opportunity to score.
That’s normally true, and about what I’d expect, an incentive loaded year. But… you never know with this year’s market and how teams value late inning relievers lately.
Yes, but the problem with Holland is he isn’t bankable in that role. Anyone who signs him as a closer had been be ready with a backup plan.
I certainly wouldn’t throw him straight into a closer role, but I don’t think anyone is interested in him for mopping up blowouts or being the first guy on the mound after a rain delay. If he’s anywhere near what we think of when we think of Greg Holland obviously he’s going to pitch late innings.
That’s why I think that regardless of Boras being Boras, the goal is a one year deal with hopefully a resurgent client on the market next year gunning for closer jobs.
Holland’s best shot at a significant longterm deal might be a one year incentive contract–and then to be traded midyear to a contender after solid performance. No QO, he goes back on the market next year without the encumbrance. Or, if he’s retained, he picks up a second year by accepting the QO if offered. I wonder if that’s not what Boras is actually aiming at–two years now is too discounted.
A one year deal makes the most sense given the risk involved, although I can see him signing with a team that offers two years (with most of his salary being tied to incentives) or a one year deal with an option.
Maybe I’m reading too much into the Boras pitch for multiple years at a relative bargain rate, but between the lines I’m seeing the possibility that he’s thinking that Holland could be the next Brian Wilson.
There is a big difference here in terms of rehab etc. Holland will be closer to the 18 month rehab in which pitchers regain form. He’ll ask for a multi year contract but he’ll probably get a two year pact. Holland will def get that. He might not care about being some name closer but there were be numerous teams interested in Holland mainly competing teams. A 20/2 is in a real realm of possibility.
Obviously that 20 is incentive laden with a 5 mil base.
We’ve seen enough TJ pitchers get through that 12-18 month rehab window looking like they are put back together, only to see them struggle with real world workloads. Holland could be one of those pitchers who marches on like nothing happened, but the of history TJ isn’t so encouraging to make him a dunk to get two years, even 18 months removed. Anyway I bring this up because I wonder what Boras is spinning in this case. It seems like he’s always spinning something so right away I suspect it.
Unless Holland blows away the scouts, a simple one year contract will do for any team. Most teams are careful with free agents coming off significant injuries. Interesting to see what Wilson Ramos receives after his ACL injury near the end of the season. A team that needs relief pitching might offer him 2-3 years….a team like the Yankees would.
Assumption here that there will be a bidding war and he’s already had his 18 month period of recovery which is his biggest hurdle. I see the Dodgers, Giants, etc…..as major suitors and Chapman back to NY.
So much for the notion that the Tigers are in teardown mode if they’re scouting Holland. It depends on the extent of the bidding war, but they will sign an elite closer.