Former Royals closer Greg Holland is getting closer to selecting a new team and could make a decision within the next week, tweets Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM. Holland has been said to be seeking a two-year guarantee with an opt-out after the first season as he looks to re-establish himself following Tommy John surgery late in the 2015 season. Roughly two-thirds of the league has been linked to Holland in some capacity, though it’s unlikely that the majority of teams would be comfortable with that type of contractual arrangement. The 30-year-old figures to draw interest from contenders and non-contenders alike so he’ll have to weigh not only the financial strength of the offers he receives but also the ability to pitch for contending club and the opportunity to compete for a ninth-inning job (which non-contending clubs may be more willing to offer right away than contenders).
Some more notes pertaining to the free-agent and trade markets…
- The Astros haven’t given up on the notion of acquiring one of Sonny Gray, Jose Quintana or Chris Archer and remain in contact with the Athletics, White Sox and Rays, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweeted recently. The extreme asking prices on each starter makes it seem unlikely that Houston would be able to pry any of that trio loose. They’ve already balked at Chicago’s reported asking price of Francis Martes, Kyle Tucker and Joe Musgrove for Quintana, and MLB Network’s Peter Gammons tweets that he received a flat “No” when he asked one source if Gray could land in Houston. Archer, meanwhile, seems like an even longer shot to contend. The Rays have already moved one of their starters, trading Drew Smyly to the Mariners, and the remainder of their offseason dealings have been largely focused in improving the 2017 club.
- While the Brewers and right-hander Neftali Feliz have yet to finalize an agreement, the two sides are still talking and working toward that goal, tweets MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy. Reports over the weekend suggested that the two sides could be moving toward a deal, though there’s been little news since. Feliz had a strong 2016 season with the division-rival Pirates (3.52 ERA, 10.2 K/9, 3.5 BB/9 in 53 2/3 innings) but finished the season on the shelf with a somewhat vague arm injury.
- Both the Blue Jays and Orioles were “in” on Michael Saunders before the outfielder agreed to a one-year, $9MM with the Phillies (which includes an $11MM club option and escalators), tweets ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. Per Crasnick, Saunders also drew some level of interest from the Brewers and the Diamondbacks as well, Crasnick adds, which is somewhat interesting given the fact that neither club has a clear on-paper need for an additional regular in the outfield.
- Twins manager Paul Molitor tells La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune that he’s hopeful the front office will add a veteran to the roster to help bring some experience to what is overall a young clubhouse. “I’ve talked to Thad and Derek about my opinions about adding, where we could, more experienced people who have the reputation of being influential in clubhouse culture as well as leadership,” said Molitor, “and a guy who can still play.” Neal speculates that an outfield bat would be the likeliest fit, noting that Minnesota is pretty well stocked in terms of infield options and DH types.
A’s not Astros
A’s what? Are in contact with the A’s to acquire Sonny Gray from the A’s in exchange for Sonny Gray and cash considerations?
Beautiful reply
not sure why these free agents are signing with non contenders: Perez to the brewers and Suanders to the Phillies.. There are many contenders looking for relievers and Saunders could of went to the Orioles or blue jays..solidifying either lineup…
They probably weren’t offering as much money as the non-contenders and are signing the contract based on the notion that if they perform well in the first half of the season they will probably be traded. That way they get the money they were looking for whether they perform well or not, and if they do than they will more than likely be going to a contender
guaranteed playing time/opportunities with a chance to raise stock
Exactly. Why wouldn’t they?
Holland should go thhe Nats …no excuses!
A’s want to trade for him because they probably think they could trade him twice at the trade deadline that way.
The only reason I see for a FA to sign with the A’s is they can’t find a job with a contending team and they figure that is the best way to get on one. To get traded at the deadline. You know your more than likely not going to be on the team if you make much money or have a 1 year deal. But then you have to play in the cess pool of O.co stadium. Just doesn’t seem like an attractive gig to me.
Being on a contender is nice but comes a ways down on most FA’s list. Salary, playing time and opportunities to improve their stats comes higher. Very few are going to want to play on a team just because it’s a contender especially for less money.
Love Greg Hollands asking price lol. If it turns out I’m not coming off Tommy Johns so well this year I’d love to come back and get another years guaranteed salary. But if I do well I’d love the opportunity to take you or someone else for every last dime. This clause does not fit or reflect the risk in signing a guy like Holland. I’m not saying he’s doomed but the odds don’t favor a guy being near the same his first year back at least
I question the validity of the 20/2 asking price that’s been bandied about. Boras cant really think he’s getting that from someone. He’s not going to get that player option….it serves no benefit to the team other than maybe putting them on the hook for atleast 10m in 2018. He gets an incentive laden 1 year deal. He does well?…he can go market himself next offseason. He might just go back to KC
Coco Crisp for the Twins?
I can’t decide by looking through the remaining FA’s if any would be a good fit for the Twins. OF depth isn’t exactly overwhelming right now for the Twins or FA market. Crisp, Davis, Pagan maybe if they would accept a one year deal as a backup. Then you get to the more unlikely fit of someone like Trumbo who could add RH pop to the corner outfield/1B depth of the Twins but I just don’t see him signing with MN. Same with Napoli who would be nice in the clubhouse but doesn’t have a clear spot on the roster. (especially with the logjam of 1B/DH types the Twins currently have. (Mauer, Park, Vargas, etc.) While I agree that it would be absolutely crucial to add an established veteran onto this very young roster, I hope they don’t make a move for the sake of making one which it seems like the new FO is taking their time with moves which is a good thing. The Twins won’t compete until 2019 likely so its most important to see what the young core can bring this year and build off of that. But there is no denying how important a veteran is to a clubhouse, especially with this young of one. 2 years ago the Twins shocked baseball by putting up 83-84 wins with Torii Hunter as a vocal veteran leader. Last year he was gone with no replacement…. 103 losses. Not the only factor but certainly an important one. Very excited to see the future of the Twins in the next couple years and I hope they keep building strong for 2019 and beyond. They’ll need to to keep up with those darn White Sox in a few years! I can see an intense AL central rivalry with the southsiders starting around 2019 and into the new decade. can’t wait..
You may be right with Crisp. He could play as a back up, but still provide help in the clubhouse and shouldn’t be too expensive. Eric Aybar might not be bad as an extra IF.
The fact that the DBacks signed Gregor Blanco and had talks with Michael Saunders seems to indicate that they may be trying to move an outfielder in a trade.. probably Tomas? I’m not sure how many teams would be willing to take on that contract considering the number of OF/DH types still available in free agency. If the DBacks pay a good chunk of the remaining guarantee though, he could have some appeal as a part of a larger deal for bullpen/bench help.
Outfielders are essentially untradeable right now, unless you’re talking about a genuine star.
Even then. Brewers trying to move Braun, and only the Dodgers have listened. Can Tomas play 3rd at all?
Tomás at third does not get rave reviews
Corner outfielders are definitely untradable right now…though I can see a team moving a CF. If one moved I’d guess Blackmon…but the Rockies are an enigma.
I don’t know why they think they’re in contention this year. The Dodgers were banged up most of the year and still went to the playoffs. The Giants got better, as did the Nats. The Mets should be healthy and the Cubs are the Cubs. The Rockies currently aren’t better than any of those teams.
The Astros news is hardly news. Anyone who’s a fan of the Astros, White Sox, Rays, or A’s knows Houston has been after one of these three starters for well over a month but are unwilling to give up enough to get them. As a White Sox fan, I wish the team would just deal Q already.
As a White sox fan, I’m happy they aren’t in a hurry to trade him. They should get what they want, not just deal him to deal him.
There’s waiting for the right deal and there’s being greedy. They won’t get the same prospect haul they did for Sale and most people seem to think the WS got the better of the Eaton trade, which shouldn’t be counted on as a given in a trade. I don’t think the market for him is going to improve that much between the start of spring training and the trade deadline, unless another contending team’s starting pitcher is injured and done for the year. And if they’re dead set on adding a specific prospect or two, there are throw-ins and three-team trades that can make this happen.
So the difference between 2-year guaranteed with opt-out, and 1-year with a player option is…what exactly?
Semantics!
Joe Mauer: I’m in the room Paul…
Rays should yolo sign holland
Lets hope for some great comebacks
We could do great if these people pan out
Saunders is a good player but the Jays made a smart choise choosing Bautista instead.