Royals Rumors: Greg Holland Reunion Will Not Happen
Royals rumors were insane the last few days, and the Kansas City Royals did indeed make a trade. They sent their closer to the Cubs in exchange for an outfielder and now their bullpen is weaker. Don’t count on an old friend to help out though.
In 2014 and 2015, KC Royals fans were spoiled with how dominant the Royals bullpen was. Whenever the Royals had a lead after the sixth inning, fans knew it was over and a Royals victory was just nine outs away.
The scariest part of the bullpen during those years was the H-D-H trio that would take the mound in the seventh inning, eighth inning, and ninth inning. Obviously the ninth inning guy was the then-Royals closer, Greg Holland.
Holland started to struggle in 2015 and eventually, we learned it was due to injury. He had to get Tommy John surgery and missed the rest of the 2015 season (including the playoffs) and all of 2016.
Greg Holland is now a free agent and obviously former Royals hitting the market appeals to the people in Kansas City. He played here, he won big games for us, and he was drafted by the Royals.
All of those are great, but for the Kansas City Royals fans out there wondering if things are aligning for a Greg Holland in Kansas City, don’t count on it.
Ran into Greg Holland today at the hotel. He would not say whether he talked to #Royals here. Doesn't seem like a match.
— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) December 8, 2016
Above is a tweet sent by Jeffrey Flanagan, Royals beat writer for MLB.com. He was at winter meetings and ran into Greg Holland, who was also there to talk to teams.
Flanny also appeared on 610 Sports on Thursday morning and noted that Holland’s showcase that he had for teams a few weeks ago didn’t go all that great. He said that teams would likely have to take a “flyer” on Holland, and that’s just not something that the Royals can afford to do right now.
Royals checked in on old friend greg Holland but it appears they will be priced out.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 8, 2016
I know this is an unpopular opinion, but not going after Greg Holland is a wise move for the Royals. Yes, they’re short a strong arm in the bullpen now, but Holland isn’t likely going to be what he used to be.
At this given moment, Kelvin Herrera will be the closer and my guess would be that youngster Matt Strahm would get the nod to pitch the eighth inning. If not Strahm, then dun dun dun… Joakim Soria would likely be called upon.
The Royals could also decide to re-sign Peter Moylan, a guy that they really liked last season and that seemed to like it in Kansas City. Moylan did just turn 38, but he was quite effective for the Royals last season, ending his 2016 campaign with an ERA of 3.43 in 44.2 innings pitched.
While it’s going to be a slightly sad offseason for fans (departures of fan favorites, not signing big name free agents, etc.), Dayton Moore will improve the bullpen. Royals rumors haven’t showcased that so far, but fear not, my friends.
Next: Ten Best Royals Closers of All-Time
It might seem weird that Greg Holland isn’t on the Royals’ signing list, but let’s just trust in the general manager that got us to the World Series twice that he knows something we don’t.
What do you think, Royals nation? Should Greg Holland have been on the Kansas City Royals’ radar?