Colorado Rockies closer Greg Holland is definitely betting on himself heading into free agency. The two-time All-Star opted out of his $15 million contract for next season and will hit the open market.
“Colorado Rockies closer Greg Holland will not exercise his $15 million player option and instead become a free agent,” Jon Heyman of FanRag sports reported Thursday.
Holland, 31, will likely receive more security on a long-term deal. But it’s highly unlikely he’ll come close to earning $15 million annually.
The veteran reliever posted a 3.61 ERA and 1.15 WHIP while leading the NL in both saves (41) as well as games finished (58). This came on the heels of him missing the 2016 campaign after undergoing Tommy John Surgery. That might complicate things when it comes to a long-term deal on the open market.
Holland’s agent, the great Scott Boras, believes that the market for relievers will skyrocket during the winter after an emphasis has been placed on the bullpen during the early part of the playoffs. Whether that equates to a robust market for Holland remains to be seen.