The Rockies have at least “checked in” with the representatives of free-agent righty Greg Holland, GM Jeff Bridich acknowledged to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding. Bridich acknowledged only that show of interest, while noting that he expects most other organizations have done the same.
There are yet more intriguing suggestions, though, that Colorado’s interest is more serious. In particular, Drew Creasman of BSNDenver.com cites an unnamed source for the proposition that the Rox have made Holland an offer of a multi-year contract. Bridich declined to comment on that rumor in his discussion with Harding.
Needless to say, the connection between Holland and the Rockies isn’t terribly surprising. Colorado has been looking for ways to bolster its pen, with Bridich citing a possible need to take calculated gambles to do so. The team already placed a wager on lefty Mike Dunn, who landed a surprisingly large, three-year pact.
For his part, Holland is no doubt searching for a chance to regain his prior status as a premium late-inning arm. While there figure to be plenty of suitors, the Rockies might be one of relatively few teams that could conceivably offer him a ninth-inning job — though that’s far from certain, given the presence of Adam Ottavino and others. Contract value and role will no doubt be of primary importance, though presumably Holland will also need to weigh the risks of spending half his time pitching at the lofty altitude of Coors Field.
With the top three closers and several other premium relievers already off the market, attention figures to shift to Holland and others in earnest in the new year. The 31-year-old missed all of 2016 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and wasn’t himself in 2015 before going under the knife. Before that, though, he was one of the game’s very best relievers. From 2011 through 2014, he compiled a sterling 1.86 ERA with 12.6 K/9 against 3.2 BB/9 over 256 1/3 innings.
Why don’t the Mets look into a big one year deal for him
Doubt it unless they can get him a lot cheaper.
Good fit for CO.
Bad fit for holland.
Two words: Brian and Wilson.
I’m having nightmares.
In the middle of the day, even. Just don’t close your eyes, is my advice.
Jokes aside, he’s a definite cautionary tale of a top closer who had TJ. He’d given the Dodgers a couple of good months of work before he got that big contract. Any reason to have more confidence in Holland’s recovery? I don’t see it.
He would be a nice addition to the Mets bullpen…
White Sox overspend a little bit and take him off the market on a one year deal. Then the teams who miss out on Holland can go after Robertson.
All but one team are going to miss out on Holland anyway. No sense in taking on a reliever who is of no use to them, to trade away a reliever.
They could look to flip him in June/July. Teams that are rebuilding can take these kind of gambles.
The problem with that is he has alot of suitors so I do not think he will sign with a team who wants to flip him
Which probably would help the Rockies if they are going two years. But he can still be flipped on a two year deal….he wont get a no trade clause.
Yeah, pitch in Co to earn that big contract. None of his pitches will have any bite…fastballs anyone? And the thin air will surely speed up the TJ recovery too.
just send the sox some prospects for nate jones already
Package deal of Quintana and Jones after the Rockies sign Trumbo to play first.
Kind of off topic but I’m surprised the Rockies aren’t more engaged (as far as we know) with trying to trade for Quintana. I can’t imagine free agent pitchers are lining up to pitch at Coors, so they kinda have to trade for me people or develop them. The Rox do have one of the top prospects in the game in Rodgers,who’s blocked by Story at SS and Arenado at 3rd, so that would be a good starting point for the White Sox.
Quintana is a more contact oriented pitcher, so he may not work out well in Coors. Also, Story has 400 mlb abs, might be too soon to consider him as blocking anyone.
Valid point you make about Quintana. I guess the only thing I would say to that is that he has pitched half of his games at the launching pad that is U.S. Cellular field and he still has great numbers. Dude is a stud. As far as Story goes, I think he had a solid rookie campaign and should only get better. Rockies have a good infield, (although i dont know how Desmond is gonna handle 1st), so they could probably part with Rodgers.
It’s not just the hrs when it comes to quintana. Coors has a lot more fair arera for balls to fall into than many other parks.
Story has k issues and could very well struggle as pitchers adjust. Rogers is a really good prospect.
I suppose it’s really a matter of perspective. You say pitchers might adjust to Story, which is true, but then he would adjust back. Whether he has the ability, who knows. He’s still a young guy, so the K’s dont bother me as he will more than likely improve.
As far as Quintana goes, he’s a pitcher that relies on location and control and is excellent at both. I think any team would take that, no matter the home park. If the Rockies have at the very least a halfway decent defense(which the White Sox havent had in years), Q should more or less still post great numbers.
Quintana gives up a ton of hard contact and lives off flyballs and hardly ever gets the ball on the ground. His adjustment to Coors could be extremely rough. His control is great but he pitches to contact and has modest K rate pose a potential big problem.
All of your thoughts have basically been what ive also been considering, and commenting in various bits and pieces around here.
People have commented on Quintana and the fly rate. All that is true…and its something anyone will face at Coors. Even Clayton Kershaw notoriously gets rocked there. To me it’s about attrition…I still want a great pitcher there…even if he comes back a little to the mean. Rockies will always have to pay in prospects….cause the idea of signing a top end fa starter isnt likely happening at any amount.
The one pitcher I do find intriguing is Chris Archer if he’s available. He’s had some homer hiccups….but he’s posting 10/9 K rates….and thats anothet key to a winning staff….its not just ground balls..its minimizing ALL contact.
Im pretty sure they’ve been lurking around on some deals. I could envision a Trumbo signing allowing them to move Desmond around the diamond….and allowing them to deal Blackmon+ for a starter.
As for Story….I tracked stats on him game to game up to the injury. He did make adjustments about 3 times to the league…so some of the stats are legit…but yeah the K rate is troubling….could be Jedd Gyorko 2.0…who knows he has value especially at Coors with that skill set.
I look for the Rockies to attempt a move like KC did with Tampa when they dealt Wil Myers for James Shields. Quintana in a vacuum fits the bill. I also think they’ve been trying to pull Kevin Gausman away from the Orioles since the stone age.
Then again…they might end up doing nothing…but Id sure like to see them bolster the rotation. To me…Greg Holland means they might be in for more like a Drew Smyly. Good lord….if they can put a league average staff together they could be a serious threat.
There is no such thing as a player in Low-A who is blocked. Ever.
No, but with the Rockies, Rodgers has a decent chance to see some serious second half at bats. He’s not blocked…just needs roster shuffled maybe soon. Winter isnt over.
Totally agree with this. This could lead to an infield of 1B Abreu, 2B Moncada, SS Anderson, and 3B Rodgers down the line for Chicago.
Abreu will not still be in Chicago by the time Rodgers establishes himself.
That would be a sweet infield if all three players reach their ceiling or come close to it. As far as Abreu goes, I dont think he gets traded cause there are plenty of 1st basemen on the market that shouldnt cost top prospects. Could be wrong, but I think the team wants a veteran presnence on the team with what will be a youth movement for years to come.
I wouldn’t include Rodgers in any Quintana deal unless Abreu is included as well. I wouldn’t include Riley Pint either for just Quintana either. The most I would offer for Quintana would be something like Hoffman, Tapia, and a rookie league guy with decent upside like Hampson. If that wouldn’t work then I would pass. It probably wouldn’t work, but that’s okay because I don’t like Quintana anyway.
That offer is way light for Quintana. His surplus value alone would make Rodgers a must as a Rockies centerpiece, followed by either Pint or Hoffman, plus likely Freeland or Tapia
Quintana is an innings eater..lol. Good to see you RayRay! Yeah…I dont think they get Abeau and Quintana…..even though Abreau in Coors might be like the second coming of Andres Gallaraga. Talk about a guy beating those gaps to death!
What about Chris Archer or Kevin Gausman? Lets let some other teams eat the prospects for Quintana. What about Greg Holland and Drew Smyly in lieu of that big #1
I can’t imagine a worse place to end up for a pitcher trying to rebuild his value than Coors. I think the Rockies could be a sneaky good team next year if they can sort out their bullpen. Joe Smith seems like a good fit.
I am thrilled on the idea of Holland though. It’s a gamble, but the bullpen has been the main weakness of the Rockies ever since they traded Huston Street. I would have preferred Melancon, but Holland would be a very nice consolation prize. Besides I don’t see why other pitchers don’t choose Colorado on a one year deal. If they do bad, they can blame Coors. If they do good, they will break the bank. It’s basically a no lose situation.
Holland is not is the position of risking a bad year and “blaming Coors”. His stuff would lose its bite at Coors.
He should choose his team carefully (which he probably is doing), looking for an environment conducive to success THIS year to rebuild his value. Alas for you Rox fans, the Rockies don’t offer that.
I disagree. His ONLY worry right now is his health. He didn’t exactly have a bad year that he needs to rebound from. He didn’t have a great year, but he has a lot of success. All he has to really do is remain healthy for the whole season and he should get a very good multi-year deal next year.
He’s more likely to build value at a better situation than in Colorado.
“Blaming Coors if you fail there” isn’t a good fallback position.
I think the only way the Rockies get it done with Holland is on a multi year deal…which would actually benefit the Rockies for sure. If they are in a playoff race this season…they keep him…if not..they deal him with control left at about 10m left on his 2018 contract. If hes restablished….hes worth that money to someone and it only helps make his return more valuable potentially.
Lots of talk about stuff losing bite….That would mean a lot more for a starter going 6-7 innings 16 times at Coors. A big fastball plays ANYWHERE. He’ll face a lot of empty bases to start innings.
I like Melancon…but his K rate isnt all that great. I want as much lack of contact in Coors as possible. He’s a perfect Giant actually.
Angels should look into Holland for a 1 or 2 year deal. Our bullpen is are biggest weakness besides health and starting pitching. Holland and Blanton/Feliz with Street and Bedrosian would make a nice bullpen.
Cubs should take a chance on Holland. Dfa deuseng or whatever his name is he won’t be on the team past June anyway. Release him after ST. Release or trade Jay. They need someone better to platoon with Almora Jr. Granted Almora will get at least 90% of the starts. Jay will mostly be pinch runner and hitter. With an occasional start. He’s basically the Jonathan Herrera of 2017.