Former Royal Greg Holland is OK with not closing games, agent Scott Boras says
As he enters free agency for the second straight year, former Royal Greg Holland would be comfortable signing with a team that already has an entrenched closer, his agent Scott Boras said on Wednesday.
“Whatever role they have,” Boras said, speaking to reporters at the GM meetings at the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa. “I think everybody is understanding what benefit (relievers) play in a team’s goal to win a championship.”
Boras described Holland as a “Help” pitcher — a “high-leverage premium pitcher” — likening him to the dominant relievers that were used in different ways during the postseason.
The implication: Even if Holland isn’t used in a formal closer’s role, he could help a team at the back end of the bullpen.
“That’s what we call them nowadays,” Boras said.
The Royals are believed to be interested in a reunion with Holland. They also have reliever Wade Davis under contract for $10 million in 2017. Davis, who will be a free agent after next season, served as a setup man for Holland during the 2014 season and for most of 2015. But when Holland went down in September 2015 with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, Davis assumed the role of Royals’ closer, helping them to a World Series championship.
For now, Boras said, “more than half the teams in baseball” have expressed interest in Holland. After throwing at a showcase earlier this week in Arizona, Boras said Holland wouldn’t conduct anymore public workouts until signing with a team. Holland’s fastball sat at 90-91 mph during a 35-pitch bullpen session on Monday, according to scouts in attendance.
“He’s not going to be throwing again,” Boras said. “I think the teams saw him throw in the low 90s and he’s doing really well. And they just wanted to see he’s healthy. I think everyone knows what Greg Holland can do.
“He’s an elite closer.”
Rustin Dodd: 816-234-4937, @rustindodd. Download True Blue, The Star’s free Royals app.
This story was originally published November 9, 2016 at 7:05 PM with the headline "Former Royal Greg Holland is OK with not closing games, agent Scott Boras says."