Rockies Add Greg Holland to Back of Bullpen

The Rockies' new relief ace has an interesting new contract. Greg Holland is guaranteed $6 million in 2017, and he has a $10 million mutual option with the Rockies for the 2018 season as of now, with a $1 million buyout. However, if he pitches in 50 games (which he did in 2012, 2013, and 2014) or finishes 30 games (which he did in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015), his option becomes a $15 million player option, meaning he can accept the $15 million or move on to free agency. This year, he has multiple incentive clauses, so he can earn anywhere from $6 million to $14 million on his contract this season alone depending on his performance and usage. Next season, if he ends up with the $10 million mutual option and both teams pick it up, he can earn anywhere from $10 million to $18 million. Essentially, under this contract, he can earn anywhere from $7 million over one season to $32 million over two seasons. Before going down with Tommy John surgery at the end of the 2015 season, Greg Holland was one of the best closers in baseball, putting up a 1.86 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP over four seasons from 2011-2014, striking out 358 batters in 256.1 innings over 246 appearances. He struggled with lingering elbow problems before going down with surgery in 2015, so his 3.83 ERA and 1.46 WHIP weren't as flashy over 48 appearances. Still, Holland will be 31 for the entire 2017 season, and he will compete primarily with Adam Ottavino for the "closer" role, with lefties Jake McGee and Mike Dunn having an outside shot. Holland should be healthy for the start of the season. For his career, the right hander out of Western Carolina University has a 2.42 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, 145 saves, and a 430/125 strikeout to walk ratio over 309 appearances, all with the Kansas City Royals.