MLB Free Agency: Possible landing spots for Greg Holland

The MLB free agency period is almost halfway through January, and many big-name players remain free agents. One of those free agents is closer Greg Holland. Where might Holland end up in 2018?

Last January, closer Greg Holland signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Rockies looking to bounce-back from missing the entire 2016 season. Holland showed off his dominance with the Rockies and proved he’s still one of the top closers in today’s game.

The 32-year-old reliever had a breakout season with the Kansas City Royals in 2013. He converted 47 out of 50 save opportunities, while posting an ERA of 1.21 with 103 strikeouts. His strong season earned him his first All-Star game appearance.

Holland followed up his stellar 2013 with another good season in 2014. In 2014, the right-hander converted 46 out 48 save opportunities, while posting an ERA of 1.44 with 90 strikeouts. Holland earned himself another All-Star appearance and also became the first player to receive the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year award.

The following season, Holland wasn’t as dominant. He converted 32 out of 37 save opportunities, but his ERA skyrocketed to 3.83, and he only struck out 49 batters. Toward the end of 2015, Holland underwent Tommy John surgery to heal his torn UCL in his right elbow.

After missing the 2016 season, Holland signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Rockies in 2017. Included in that deal was a $15 million option for the 2018 season if he pitched in 50 games or finished 30 games in 2017.

Holland accomplished both those feats with the Rockies. He pitched in 61 games and finished 58 of them. Holland converted 41 out of 45 saves with a 3.61 ERA and 70 strikeouts. He became an All-Star for the third time last season. Not only did Holland have a good season but he didn’t it in a tough pitcher’s environment in Colorado.

After the season ended, Holland declined the vesting option and decided to test the MLB free agency market. But with a limited market so far this season, that decision could cost Holland money.

Let’s take a look at a few MLB teams that Greg Holland could end up in 2018.

St. Louis Cardinals

For the first time since the 2007 and 2008 seasons, the St. Louis Cardinals missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Finishing with a record of 83-79, they finished third in the NL Central.

While the Cardinals look to make a push back into the playoffs in 2018, they need an upgrade at the closer’s role.

Last season, the Cardinals opening day closer was Seung-hwan Oh. He earned the role after a solid 2016 rookie season that saw him post a 1.92 ERA, 103 strikeouts and 19 saves in 23 attempts. But inconsistency that included an ERA of 4.10 cost him the closer’s job.

By the end of 2017, the Cardinals had eight different relievers convert a save. The top three saves leaders for the Cardinals (Oh-20, Trevor Rosenthal-13, and Juan Nicasio-6) hit free agency this offseason.

There’s no question that the Cardinals need more bullpen help if they want to compete with the Cubs in 2018. Earlier in the offseason, they signed reliever Luke Gregerson to a two-year, $11 million deal that included a team option for the 2020 season.

John Mozeliak, Cardinals President of Baseball Operations, said that if the season started today, Gregerson would be the closer, according to Dan Buffa, a St. Louis sports reporter.

In 2017 for the Houston Astros, Gregerson posted a 4.57 ERA and converted just one save with three blown saves. Those stats don’t scream closer. However, if the Cardinals go out and sign Holland, Gregerson could fit in well as a setup man.

After losing four relievers to free agency, the Cardinals need more bullpen help. Picking up Greg Holland would not only solidify the closer’s role but also add bullpen depth altogether.

With baseball adapting to more of a bullpen style game, having a lot of depth in the bullpen is vital, and having a good closer is almost a necessity.

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros and their talented young roster took MLB by storm last season and took home their first-ever World Series championship for the city of Houston.

The strength of their offense and the depth of their rotation covered what was a bit of a weak spot during the playoffs, their late-inning relievers. This was evident in the last few games of the World Series where they relied more on starters to finish games instead of established relievers.

In 2017, the Astros closer was Ken Giles. The 27-year-old pitched well during the regular season. He converted 34 out of 38 save opportunities and turned in an ERA of 2.30 and 83 strikes.

Although during the postseason, the hard-throwing closer struggled mightily. In 7.2 postseason innings pitched, Giles had an ERA of 11.74.

Another one of Houston’s top-tier relievers during the regular season, Chris Devenski, struggled in the postseason. Devenski was Houston’s best reliever during the 2017 regular season. He provided the Astros with a lot of durability, and he posted a 2.68 ERA with 100 strikeouts. He even earned himself an All-Star game selection. But when it came to the playoffs, Devenski wasn’t the same. In eight innings, the 27-year-old posted a 9.00 ERA.

With the Astros strong offense and deep starting rotation, which just got even stronger with the addition of Gerrit Cole, they just need a bit more bullpen depth. Adding Greg Holland would give them a veteran closer and give them one of the best bullpens in the AL.

Holland’s postseason experience and success would also give them a reliable ninth-inning guy in October. In 11.2 innings pitched in the playoffs, Holland owns a 2.31 ERA along with seven saves.

If the Astros sign Holland, they’ll strengthen their bullpen and give themselves a great shot at repeating as World Series champions.

Dark Horse Teams

Washington Nationals: 

After another disappointing first-round playoff exit for the Washington Nationals, the team looks for one more shot at a World Series in 2018. After the 2018 season, superstar Bryce Harper becomes a free agent.

In 2017, the Nationals dealt with closer trouble in the first half of the season with Blake Treinen as their closer. Near the trade deadline, the Nationals acquired both Sean Doolittle, Ryan Madson and Brandon Kintzler. After the acquisitions, the bullpen troubles faded away.

Doolittle took over as closer and was nearly perfect. He converted 21 out of 22 saves with a 2.40 ERA. As of now, Doolittle is the closer heading into 2018.

The Nationals could survive without signing Greg Holland, but why not make a good bullpen, a stellar bullpen? Holland could give the Nationals a considerable bullpen edge. Imagine a team with four relievers that could be a viable closing option that’d be the Nationals if they signed Holland.

Los Angeles Angels:

So far the winners of the offseason, the Los Angeles Angels, who could use another arm in their bullpen, could add Holland and insert a dominant closer.

Last season, one of the strongest assets for the Angels was their bullpen. Even with a good bullpen, the Angels didn’t have a specific closer throughout the season.

Eight different relievers recorded a save for the Angels in 2017. At the end of the season, Blake Parker took over the closer’s role and looks to hold the spot heading into 2018.

Although if the Angels decide to sign Holland, they can bolster their bullpen and land a definitive closer. With improvements to the Angels offense, adding depth to their bullpen could play a significant factor in them making the playoffs in 2018.

No matter where Greg Holland ends up next season, he should play a prominent role in the success of that franchise and how they do going forward.