Going into this offseason, Brian Cashman stressed his desire to improve the team’s pitching – whether it’s in the starting rotation or bullpen. On Monday, the organization will have scouts in Glendale, Ariz., to see former Royals closer Greg Holland throw, according to George King of the NY Post.
Holland, who turns 31 on Nov. 20, is recovering from Tommy John Surgery which he underwent on Oct. 2, 2015, causing him to miss all of 2016. Before getting injured, the righty was considered one of the more elite closers in all of baseball. From 2013-2014, Holland accumulated 93 saves and pitched to a 1.32 ERA in 133 games. He struck out 193 batters in 129.1 innings and allowed just 77 hits.
While the Yankees are still likely to go after high priced closers Aroldis Chapman or Kenley Jansen, Holland will probably come at a much cheaper price tag because of his injury. At Cashman’s end-of-year press conference, he said his job is to “acquire as much talent as possible”, whether it’s the high-priced player or “low-hanging fruit”, as he called it.
If Chapman signs back in the Bronx, adding a healthy Holland along with Dellin Betances would give Joe Girardi another deadly trio to turn to late in games. However, it’s unclear if Holland would be okay with a setup role. If Chapman signs elsewhere, that would obviously open up a spot for Holland to slide into the closer’s spot, with Betances moving back to the eighth.
Holland’s workout is scheduled to take place at Grand Canyon University, which is conveniently close to where the GM meetings begin on Monday at the Scottsdale Omni Resort and Spa.
Free agents can sign with any team starting Nov. 8.
