Giants re-sign Derek Holland. Holland was roughly a 2-WAR player last season and the lefty led the team with 171-1/3 IP. The deal, if the option for next season is picked up and all the performance incentives are met, maxes out at $15M. Figure they are on the hook for about $8M, not a bad risk for one year. He gives the team a predictable rotation piece as well as a potential mid-season trade chip.
--M.C.
7 comments:
Yeah, I'm glad he's back.
He was usually an excellent pitcher for about 5 innings, and the few times he pitched as a reliever, he seemed to throw the ball quite nicely with good results.
Holland gave us more innings than anyone else last year. He had a 3.57 era overall, 2.83 in the second half.
I think what we're seeing is, partly, a change in negotiating strategy by MLB clubs in general and, mostly, a change in strategy by the Giants. It is now less than 1 month before pitchers and catchers report. In 2016, we signed Mark Melancon soon after the season, there were three free agent relievers on the market and, as we all knew, we absolutely had to get one of them to fix what ailed the team. Then on December 20, 2017, we traded for Evan Longoria, so as to buff up our offense, which, we all knew, we absolutely had to do. Now we have a new GM so we have a different style of doing things - not as quick on the draw as Bobby Evans was. Whether that's better or worse, we'll just have to wait and see. But it is clear that's also what most everyone else is doing (see: Manny Machado and Bryce Harper).
Yeah, the teams are loaded with dough but--mostly--reluctant to blow big wads on any one player. Something will happen and that will trigger a bunch of signings. The Giants are looking for younger, controllable talent, especially with minor league options left. I don't see them going after a top-tier free agent but they may fool around with a few mid-level guys if the market stays flat and they come cheaply. I don't see a lot of wiggle room in the payroll so we'll have to expect lots of small moves rather than any big ones. Not very exciting, I know, but interesting from a roster-construction standpoint. How DO you fix the Giants? I'm hoping we find out!
Drew Pomeranz?
We love lefties!
Post a Comment