Former-Royals closer finds new home
The Kansas City Royals who themselves still need bullpen help, just lost another potential arm. One that they are familiar with in fact. Former-Royals closer who is coming off of Tommy John surgery, Greg Holland has signed a one-year deal with the Colorado Rockies. The deal is worth 7-million dollars guaranteed, and could be worth up to 14-million dollars through incentives. The Rockies who are building a foundation of a team that could surprise some people in 2017.
By the time April rolls around, Greg Holland will not have thrown a "competitive" pitch in 18-months. 18-months. Jeff Passan author of the book: "The arm." says that is the perfect amount of rest for a Tommy John pitcher. Holland was great as a closer for the Kansas City Royals. In 2013, Holland saved 47-games, 46-games in 2014, and 32-games in an injury shortened 2015 campaign.
In all likelihood, on opening day, April 3rd, the 31-year-old will not be the dominating closer we have all came to know-and-expect. He will have to shake off the preverbal rust but once he gets in the swing-of-things, there is no reason he can not return to his 2013-15 form.
