Fansided

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

By Joshua Sadlock

Sep 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland (56) pitches 12th inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Detroit won 5-4 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland (56) pitches 12th inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Detroit won 5-4 in twelve innings. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Sep 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. The Orioles won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Zach Britton (53) pitches in the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. The Orioles won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Baltimore Orioles

If the bullpen is a concern for the Red Sox, it’s the complete opposite for the Orioles. Baltimore led the league with a 3.01 ERA after the seventh inning. Closer Zach Britton had arguably the greatest season ever for a reliever in terms of pure run suppression. Ahead of Britton, All-Star setup men Brad Brach and Darren O’Day return. Converted shortstop Mychal Givens throws 95 mph from a sidearm slot.

The Orioles have an embarrassment of riches in their bullpen, but they can always use more help. The rotation is still a glaring weakness, with only three spots being filled by competent pitchers. Last offseason’s signing of Yovani Gallardo looks like an absolute disaster, and what Ubaldo Jimenez and Wade Miley will bring in 2017 is anyone’s best guess. The staff’s ERA of 4.72 was 24th in the league and the worst of all the teams in the postseason. Adding to the bullpen may be the best course of action with a watered-down pitching market.

Dan Duquette has made a name for himself with reclamation projects since taking over in Baltimore. He has had at least one surprising success story each year, with Nelson Cruz and Mark Trumbo both leading the league in home runs, Nate McLouth coming out of nowhere to play an important role in 2012, Steve Pearce taking over for Chris Davis in 2014, and Miguel Gonzalez rising from the Mexican League. With an already strong bullpen, the Orioles have no reason not to sign Holland to serve as a swingman in the fifth and sixth innings. It would be a chance for him to revive his career in an Andrew MIller-esque role, pitching whenever his team needs him.

Home/MLB Free Agency