The White Sox announced that they have placed lefty Derek Holland on release waivers. Chicago announced a series of other moves as well. Top prospect Yoan Moncada has been activated from the DL, while the team purchased the contract of lefty Jace Fry and brought him up from Double-A.
Holland will almost certainly clear waivers, in which case he’d return to the open market while the remainder of his $6MM annual salary remains on Chicago’s books. Though he can still sign with another organization, so long as one is willing to free up a 40-man spot, Holland would not be eligible to pitch in the postseason.
The 30-year-old southpaw simply has not had quite the bounceback season he and the Sox hoped for when he signed on over the winter. Holland has managed only a 6.20 ERA over 135 innings, allowing 31 long balls while carrying 6.9 K/9 against 5.0 BB/9 in that span.
If there’s something to build off of, it’s the fact that Holland has been available all year after dealing with significant injuries in recent campaigns. Still, he averaged just 91.7 mph on his fastball, well off his career average of around 94. A variety of other underlying indicators suggest that hitters weren’t having much trouble seeing what was coming their way. For instance, Holland coaxed batters to offer at pitches outside the zone just one quarter of the time while surrendering 38.4% hard contact — both representing career-worst figures.
white_sox9195
Finally they got rid of him if he would pitched like he did in the start of the season teams wouldve been all over him but he sucked badly in the second half.
nmendoza44
Absolute garbage, especially as an annoying person.
thegreatcerealfamine
How?
Yamsi12
He is a trump supporter.
Twinboy
Great person for supporting trumy
thegreatcerealfamine
Ride him out of town on a rail then…come-on-man
You_Know_My_Name
That’s the absolute worst.
Whos123
Wtf are you talking about? He has an amazing sense of humor and is loved wherever he goes.
justinkm19
Texas will bring him back and hope he returns to his old self. Cheap bounce back options are JDs specialty
Caseys Partner
Bushes hate Trump so that door is closed.
Actually every owner hates Trump and will not let him buy a MLB team.
Trump tried to buy the Mets off the Wilpons.
Crickets…..and now the White House.
MLB wouldn’t pay Fidel Castro either (pitching prospect).
CursedRangers
I see that happening as well. The Rangers have limited number of starting pitchers under contract for next year (Perez & Hamels). Holland would make sense as a 5th starter and/or long reliever.
padresfan
Might as well black list all the Hilary supporters from your logic
Brett3333
Oh Well…Didnt work out. Move on. I just hope they keep taking shots like this next year. They need to be patient with the young guys. Make sure they are good to go. Kopeck should get at least 100 IP in AAA next year. Move Hansen and Dunning to AA. One step at a time.
fermier
Too bad. I guess it’s not easy to come back after such injuries. He was a funny guy. I hope he gets another chance.
jdgoat
His career went downhill right after he rubbed the Jays logo all over his ass
glassml
Lol….Yes that and tearing his knee up tripping over his dog
Strauss
Again it took the sox a whole season to figure out a player sucked. This group of front office and all field staff will never succeed. You can thank Williams sox fans. He put this group together.
CaliWhiteSoxFan
Disconnected from reality much?
Strauss
Is your last name Williams?
chitown311
What you fail to understand was that this was just a body to take the mound every 5th game and mentor the younger guys what pitching in the bigs is all about. This slot will be filled by James Shields next year as the pitching staff mentor. Rodon Giolito and Lopez are already cemented in this rotation for next year, while a 5th SP will be determined through trade, FA, or winning the spot in ST between studs Kopech, Dunning, Hansen and possibly Fulmer. This season was a tank for the Sox. Plain and simple. The best years are coming very soon, and when they do we will thank guys like Holland for thier contributions to this team in these dark years.
minoso9
Well stated. The Sox have some talented young pitching, and Holland is still young enough to try again next year with another team. He was awful this year, and he’s not alone. The Sox’ bullpen is scary bad right now.
dewssox79
please stop following baseball
dewssox79
that is directed at strauss
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
We know… it’s dented under strauss. This one is directed at you. See the dent ?
tsolid 2
The Front office that recognized an ongoing, failed strategy, somewhat tanked, and loaded the system with prospects and some ML pieces for the future? Pleaser another sport and see if you can figure that one out
ASapsFables
Hopefully Jace Fry will continue to improve and be a successful lefty reliever for the White Sox following his own arm issues. Looking forward to experiencing a (Jake) Burger and Fry at Guaranteed Rate Field come 2019 or 2020.
shelteredsoxfan
Who knows maybe the sox will target Seth Beer in the draft next year. Then it would be complete
TomBradyrings
Why would people down vote this? Cubs fans most be trolling today lmao. The future is indeed bright my friend as well as the marketing slogans.
Realtexan
Texas may bring Holland back but on a minor deal. He prob has seen his last days as a big leaguer. The Astros may play a factor to. They need pitching in all there minor league aff.
You_Know_My_Name
No! He’d poison our minors!
sox1999
He is trash
IronBallsMcGinty
Glad to see him go, but it’s a shame that his career went the way it did. There was a time he was very talented and showed lots of promise. He wasn’t as frustrating as Danks since the Sox really weren’t trying to contend but maybe he can manage his way into someone’s bullpen and provide some sort of productive role.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Don’t really get the point. Doubt anyone will pick him up, so the Sox will keep paying him. Did they really want to give Fry a shot that badly? In a season they’re expected to suck, I’d just let him go out and lose every fifth day and try to get the #1 overall pick, which is still a feasible goal.
RyanR
He’s a good guy. I hope he returns to pitching well.
Yamsi12
Goodnight sweet prince
leprechaun
Very dumb move by the White Sox. He was a guaranteed loss every time he took the mound, and if tanking is the goal he is the guy you want pitching. Remember they are in a battle for the first pick in the draft. Phillies or Giants should pick him up.
up2drew
Batting practice, plain and simple.
Jesus, don’t liberals ever get tired of complaining about Trump?
IronBallsMcGinty
Can we please keep politics out of here? This is one of the few web sites where one can get away from political bickering. Thanks!
TomBradyrings
I’m gonna miss Holland was a stand up guy and I liked having him around. Too bad he couldn’t finish the year but I guess they wanted to give some starts to some more youngsters.