The New York Mets are considering adding the last free agent with draft pick compensation attached to him in reliever Greg Holland
The talk in New York is how the New York Yankees have the best bullpen in the game. The New York Mets are trying to build a super bullpen of their own. Before the trade deadline last year, they added A.J. Ramos. This off-season, they signed Anthony Swarzak to go along with Jerry Blevins and Jeurys Familia.
Now, it’s possible the lone prominent relief pitcher standing may finally have his dance partner. The New York Mets are considering adding reliever Greg Holland.
Some breaking Mets news:
— Matt Ehalt (@MattEhalt) March 29, 2018
Mets have recently discussed adding free agent closer, Greg Hollandhttps://t.co/IfZy4vmMvv
Now if the Mets add the reliever, they would lose their second-round draft pick and $500,000 of international spending money.
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Holland missed the entire 2016 season recovering from arm injuries and signed with the Colorado Rockies. Holland led the NL in games finished with 58 and saves with 41 and made his third All-Star team. He struck out 70 batters in 57.1 innings.
Holland had a rough August, going 1-4 with an ERA over 13, but every other month except for July, he had a sub 2.00 ERA. Holland’s velocity last year was right line with 2015, although he increased his breaking ball usage.
If the New York Mets sign him, what role will Holland have? Will he supplant Familia for the closer role? Will Holland accept a setup role? How quickly can he get ready once he signs since he won’t have an actual spring training? There’s a lot of moving parts to this.
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This off-season, with the collapse of the free agent market, the market came back to the New York Mets. They added Jason Vargas for the rotation, Swarzak to the bullpen and Todd Frazier and Jay Bruce for the offense, without surrendering the draft pick compensation. Now they could add Holland to put the icing on the cake.
The New York Mets believe that they can make the playoffs for the third time in four years. They may think that Greg Holland could be that final addition to help their pitching staff. To me, if the Mets can get him for the right amount and Holland will accept any role so he can get a job, go get him. In an off-season where the team across town added the NL MVP, you have to compete for attention. It’s a team ready to win now, and Holland to the Mets makes sense.