Part of the interesting thing about this rumor is not just the main message, but what it also says about the Braves for 2018.
The Atlanta Braves are still seeking to improve their lot for the 2018 season, but at this point, they are definitely in scavenger mode while doing so.
That’s not to say that reliever Greg Holland constitutes a dumpster-diving relic – hardly so, in fact – but it’s what accompanies this rumor that’s more interesting.
Jon Heyman has the main story here:
The #Braves, who have been conspicuously quiet this winter, have at least checked in on former #Royals and #Rockies closer Greg Holland, writes @JonHeyman:https://t.co/cCDsPQRWLI
— FRS Baseball (@FRS_Baseball) March 15, 2018
Heyman went on to say this:
"There’s no evidence the talks have gone very far to this point, and Braves people are telling folks they have limited funds left."
So what he’s telling us is that Fred was right – the Braves are concentrating much more on getting themselves into a payroll and overall budgetary situation that will hopefully allow them to operate more competitively in 2019… while they limp along and piece together 2018.
But let’s look at Holland himself right now.
About Holland
Greg Holland was one of 9 players receiving – and rejecting – a Qualifying Offer this past off-season. The value of that offer was set at $17.4 million. By now it’s pretty obvious that he won’t have any chance of seeing that number for 2018 – from the Braves or anyone else.
That’s unfortunate for him, but at the same time, his 2017 salary was $6 million (after peaking at $8.25m in 2015), so admittedly I’m curious as to why he didn’t accept an opportunity to nearly triple his pay rate for his age 32 season.
Oh… Scott Boras… that’s why. Yes – he’s a Boras client.
But for the Braves, Holland would cost them a 4th round draft pick to sign. Not a terrible loss, though combined with the penalty-lost 3rd round pick already looming, that would be a fair chunk of draft bonus pool money unavailable to spend… though spending of any kind is obviously now a factor for 2018.
The Braves’ bullpen situation is a bit squirrelly right now: Vizcaino, Minter, Freeman, and Ramirez appear to be locked in. Moylan, Winkler, Gomez are close – though all have had a few issues this Spring. It makes sense that Atlanta would at least consider bringing in another veteran to assist.
Heyman points out that Holland is from North Carolina – the western foothills town of Marion, to be precise – which is claimed as part of Braves Country. He’s also going to have former teammate Peter Moylan hanging around (we hope).
Is that a draw toward Atlanta? Thus far it’s not quite enough of a draw, it seems, though money is probably a factor. The hope of a multi-year deal may be as well.
Holland missed 2016 to rehab from an October 2015 Tommy John procedure, but on both sides of that surgery, he had lost a bit of effectiveness:
From 2011 through 2014, he was lights-out: 1.80, 2.96, 1.21, and 1.44 ERAs were posted… along with a total of 113 saves.
In 2015 and 2017, the save totals were still there – 73 of them – but his ERA jumped to 3.83 and 3.61 (actually slightly lower in Denver than in Kansas City (pre-surgery)). I suppose you could argue that given his place in Colorado, that 3.61 actually is on par with those numbers from earlier with the Royals.
Would he close for the Braves as he attempts to convince teams that he’s still effective enough for a better 2019 contract? Good question, since Atlanta would effectively have three closers on hand between he, Minter, and Vizcaino. But then Atlanta also wouldn’t have to be concerned about protecting late leads, either.
So what would this take to get Holland? And what could the Braves offer?
If they cut catcher Chris Stewart (which I frankly believe is inevitable), then they could save a little cash as he’d be entitled to some Lovely Parting Gifts and not a lot more. There could still be another salary dump move available for Nick Markakis, but in all honesty, I think I really want to keep him for this season.
Next: Does anybody actually like this change??
If Atlanta wants Holland, there are probably ways to get him… but Anthopoulos is clearly having to be creative in his dealings, and that’s unfortunately (for 2018) going to impact the real goal… winning.