Whereas MLB free agency last winter was largely centered around the group of starting pitchers available, this year is expected to be dominated by closers. More specifically, Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon. But the trio may also be joined by Greg Holland.
The former Kansas City Royals closer missed all of this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2015. After the right-hander struggled for most of last season it was revealed Holland had been pitching with discomfort in his elbow for over a year.
Not only did Holland pitch through lingering pain, but Royals manager Ned Yost revealed his closer initially tore the UCL during the 2014 season.
Unsurprisingly, the Royals non-tendered Holland last December. Now the free agent is set for a showcase with the hope of pitching next season, per Joel Sherman of The New York Post:
. His agent, Scott Boras, said his client has thrown off the mound three or four times, hitting the low 90s with the expectation he will showcase his skills in the next week, either at Boras’ sports facility in Florida or near the righty’s home in North Carolina.
“He is back at it full steam,” Boras said. “With the value of relief pitching being shown [in the postseason], he should be interesting.”
Regardless of what transpires between Jansen and the Dodgers, the club may also elect to pursue Holland. After all, Los Angeles did agree to a trade for Chapman at the 2015 Winter Meetings, and they reportedly had interest in Royals closer Wade Davis prior to the non-waiver trade deadline.
In 2015, Holland converted 32 saves and pitched to a 3.83 ERA, 3.27 FIP and 1.46 WHIP. He was an All-Star in 2013 and 2014, recording a combined 93 saves with a 1.32 ERA and averaging 13.4 strikeouts per nine innings over that span.
