Colorado Rockies’ closer Greg Holland will not exercise his $15 million player option and will instead become a free agent.
Holland, 31, a finalist for the NL Comeback Player of the Year Award after missing 2016 with Tommy John surgery, tied their franchise record with 41 saves, which tied Kenley Jansen for the most saves in the NL in 2017. Holland also made the All-Star game for the 3rd time in his career.
He finished the year with a 3.61 ERA and recorded 23 straight saves to start the year, winning NL Reliever of the Month honors for April and May.
His agent, Scott Boras, believes that ‘it’s time for an explosion of salaries for bullpen stars.’ Last year Aroldis Chapman ($86 million) and Kenley Janser ($80 million) signed big deals with the Yankees and Dodgers.
Holland loves Colorado and the feeling is mutual, so he could wind up back there with a bigger deal… but there will be plenty of teams that need bullpen help kicking the tires.
He signed an incentive-laden deal just weeks before Spring Training this season. He made a $6 million base salary with $9 million in bonuses and will receive a $1 million buyout for declining his player option.
Bob Nightengale on Twitter
Once #Rockies closer Greg Holland formally declines his player option, the #STLCards plan to pounce as they search for closer
Take this tweet from Bob Nightengale as you will, who has been right less times than a weatherman when it comes to players the Cardinals will get.
