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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 /
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Oct 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) takes the field during the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard (6) takes the field during the fifth inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Philadelphia Phillies

Finally freed of Ryan Howard’s albatross of a contract and all ties to the 2008 World Series championship team, the Phillies have the potential to be one of the sleeping giants of MLB free agency this year. The rebuild is coming along nicely, and the team has one of the best TV deals in the league with plenty of cash flowing in. With several solid pieces to build around, the Phillies could begin winning as soon as 2017 if they play their cards right.

The big strength for the new-look Phillies is the starting rotation. Four young arms, Vince Velasquez, Aaron Nola, Alec Asher, and Jerad Eickhoff should be the envy of the league. Jeremy Hellickson took the team’s qualifying offer, and provides plenty of stability for the rotation. On offense, Odubel Herrera looks like Shane Victorino reincarnate, Maikel Franco is one of the more intriguing young power hitters in the game, and Cesar Hernandez is a dynamic player at second base. Top prospect J.P. Crawford’s time should finally come next season.

The Phillies are in a race with the Atlanta Braves to rebuild and get back to the top of the NL East. Philadelphia is further along right now, and has an edge when it comes to position players and offensive prospects. Staying ahead in that process is important, and the Phillies have already done most of the hard work by developing a pitching staff. As with most rebuilding teams, however, the bullpen is littered with replacement-level arms.

Holland would have a guaranteed chance to close in Philadelphia, and if that is a major draw for him, the Phillies make a good potential fit. Adding an elite closer would give the budding rotation even more confidence, and Holland could help the Phillies add a handful of wins a season. There is not much downside for Philadelphia if they are able to land Greg Holland. The Phillies offer a low-pressure landing spot as he looks to return from surgery. For a rebuilding team, adding a high-reward bounceback candidate like Holland is an easily-defensible move, and he becomes one more trade chip that can bring another elite prospect.

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