Former Royals closer Greg Holland, 30, is getting ready to make his return from Tommy John Surgery. Holland hasn’t thrown a pitch since 2015, but when he did throw pitches, most of them were pretty darn good.
In 2013 and 2014, Holland was easily one of the most dominant closers in the game, saving 93 games and pitching to a 1.32 ERA. In 129.1 innings he struck out 193 batters and pitched to an 0.889 WHIP. When his average fastball velocity took a downward turn in 2015, from over 96mph to 93.6mph, it was discovered that he had actually torn his ulnar collateral ligament late in the 2014 season, and it surely affected his performance.
Unknowingly pitching with a torn UCL in 2015, he saved 32 games while posting a 3.83 ERA before being shut down and replaced by Wade Davis. It will be 17 months since his surgery when 2017 spring training arrives, and I think the Mets should absolutely pursue him if they like what they see at the showcase. Agent Scott Boras claims his fastball is currently in the low 90s, and that velocity should increase as his arm strengthens.
Sandy Alderson has done a phenomenal job with buying low on former closers, i.e. Addison Reed. While many teams will surely be vying for Holland’s services this winter, there are some other big names out there on the free agent market that are more attractive. Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, and Mark Melancon are all slated to be free agents this offseason. While teams are clamoring over those men, Sandy could sneak by and strike a great deal with Holland. Addison Reed, Greg Holland, and Jeurys Familia would constitute a big road block for opponents trying to score late against the Mets.
