Texas Rangers Derek Holland gaining trade interest

Jon Paul Morosi has reported that teams are contacting the Texas Rangers about a potential trade involving 26-year-old left-handed starting pitcher Derek Holland. The Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers, and Kansas City Royals are among the teams that are looking to trade for Holland.

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Last season, he pitched 175.1 innings with a 4.67 ERA in an average year. The young starter has definitely pitched better than this, as he sported a sub-4.00 ERA and was worth 3.8 WAR in the 2011 season. Holland has done a good job of striking out hitters and is improving his control with each year. Even though he had a lower BABIP than his career average, Holland did receive a degree of bad luck with a 15.2 HR/FB% that led to a swing in home runs allowed per nine innings (1.64).

That number will almost certainly be lower in 2013 and beyond, but Holland isn’t exactly the best pitcher around at limiting the long ball. However, his peripherals are solid and he has plenty of upside going forward at 26. The Rangers will be able to get a great haul if they do decide to deal Holland, because he is a solid 3 WAR pitcher capable of posting above-average ERA totals year-in and year-out.

Currently on a team-friendly deal after signing an extension last offseason, the Rangers will most likely hold on to Holland. The only way that I can envision Holland getting trade to the Twins, Brewers, Royals, or some other team is if the Rangers are able to sign Zack Greinke. Even then, Jon Daniels isn’t going to deal Holland unless if he gets a deal he just can’t pass up.

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