The St. Louis Cardinals have signed right-hander Greg Holland according to Mark Saxon of The Athletic. The deal is pending a physical and is for one-year, $14 million.
Holland received a qualifying offer from the Colorado Rockies that was worth $17.4 million for the 2018 but he declined.
The 32-year old signed with the Rockies for the 2017 season and made 35 appearances in the first half, notching 28 saves with a 1.62 ERA, 1.020 WHIP, and an 11.6 K/9. On the strength of that first half, Holland was named an All-Star.
Over the final two months, Holland had a 7.38 ERA, 1.368 WHIP, and a 9.5 K/9. In that stretch, he was 2-5 and 8/11 in save opportunities.
He finished 2017 with a 3.61 ERA, 41 saves, 3.72 FIP, 1.15 WHIP and 2.69 SO/W. He then opted out of a player option for 2018 that would have paid him $15 million to stay with the Rockies.
Because Holland was given and rejected the QO, the Cardinals lose No. 59 overall pick (bonus value $1,140,600) and $500,000 in international bonus pool money.
Holland will slide into the Cardinals closer role once he is ready to join the major league team.
