The Colorado Rockies have made an offer to right handed reliever Greg Holland, sources tell Purple Row. As first reported by BSN Denver, the contract offered Holland would be to join the team on a multi-year deal.
Holland, 31, was drafted in the 10th round of the 2007 amateur draft by the Kansas City Royals and made his major league debut in 2010. He quickly established himself as a reliable anchor in the Kansas City bullpen, posting a 1.86 ERA with 358 strikeouts and 91 walks in 256 1⁄3 innings between 2011 and 2014. He was an All-Star in 2013 and 2014 and finished ninth in Cy Young Award voting both years. He was less effective in 2015 (3.83 ERA with 49 strikeouts and 26 walks in 44 2⁄3 innings) before having Tommy John surgery in August 2015. He was non-tendered by the Royals last offseason, and he spent 2016 rehabbing.
Holland performed in a showcase for teams during the GM meetings in Arizona last month and left people wanting. Scouts say he was throwing 88-91 mph, a far cry from the 95-98 mph average he put up between 2011 and 2015, though he was also reportedly only throwing 75 percent. There are reports that his asking price remains two years and $20 million, which might be a bit high but also what the Rockies would likely have to pay to get him to come to Denver. Considering the team’s recent track record of pitchers coming back from Tommy John (Adam Ottavino, Tyler Chatwood), there could be a fit.
Keep your eyes on Purple Row for more as this story develops.