MLB free agency 2017: 5 teams who should take a chance on Greg Holland

Two-time All-Star closer Greg Holland will return for the 2017 season after Tommy John surgery. Which teams should consider taking a flier on him?

Greg Holland is slated to return to the big leagues in 2017 after a year away to rehab from Tommy John surgery. With the Kansas City Royals, Holland was an All-Star in 2013 and 2014. From 2011 to 2014, the right-hander saved 113 games with an eye-popping 12.6 strikeouts per nine.

Holland, now 31 years old, has not thrown a pitch in the major leagues since September 18, 2015. Prior to being shut down, it had become evident that Holland was not himself. His ERA peaked at 3.92 three weeks before his final pitch, and he had seen his strikeout rate tumble all the way down to 9.9. With the emergence of Wade Davis as an elite closer, the Royals felt confident enough to move on from Holland completely. It is now up to the former Cy Young candidate to re-establish himself in the big leagues, and he is comfortable pitching in a non-closing role.

At his best, Holland relied on his four-seam fastball in the mid-90s and his slider. The slider was Holland’s best pitch, with opponents batting just .130 against the pitch in his career. According to the pitch-tracking site, Brooks Baseball, over 300 of Holland’s 430 career strikeouts have come on the slider. How his elbow holds up to the rigors of throwing a high percentage of sliders will make or break Holland’s return to the big leagues.

The right-hander recently held a workout to showcase his progress, and close 20 MLB teams were in attendance. As a cheaper alternative to Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, and Mark Melancon, a healthy market will develop for Holland. As with any pitcher, especially a reliever, coming off the ligament-replacement surgery, there is a level of risk that comes with signing Greg Holland. Here are the five teams who should consider taking the plunge and targeting HOlland as he returns to the big leagues.

5. Chicago Cubs

Coming off their first World Series title in 108 years, the Cubs are in need of a closer. Aroldis Chapman was a rental, and a reunion would come as a total shocker at this point. Kenley Jansen is also likely out of the price range for the Cubs. Mark Melancon may be in play, but other teams have a more pressing need at closer than the Cubs, and he should also clear the old record contract for a closer of $50 million.

The Cubs spent big last winter to sign Jason Heyward, John Lackey, and Ben Zobrist. A similar outpouring of cash this year is unlikely. That will leave the Cubs to fill out their bullpen with internal options and low-risk/high-reward free agents. On the internal side, Hector Rondon will return, and did a serviceable job closing before the Chapman trade. Carl Edwards should be able to handle more pressure in 2017, and Mike Montgomery and Pedro Strop are capable in the middle innings.

Holland is a great fit for the Cubs, a team that can afford to bring him along slowly, waiting for the postseason. Chicago should continue running roughshod over the National League in the regular season, and their bullpen will have a minimal impact on their chances of reaching the playoffs. It will be a different story once October rolls around, but by then, Holland should be fully ramped up to handle a heavy workload.