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The Mets have discussed adding free agent relief pitcher Greg Holland, according to a report from Matt Ehalt. In that report, Ehalt points out that the Mets have three relievers who are set to hit free agency this winter: Jeurys Familia, Jerry Blevins, and A.J. Ramos—a good point since the team could use help both this year and beyond.
Holland made a name for himself by putting up four dominant seasons with the Royals from 2011 through 2014. During that span, he finished with an ERA in the low-to-mid-1s, and his worst mark was a 2.96 ERA in 2012. He struggled in 2015, finishing the year with a 3.83 ERA and 3.27 FIP in a season that ended early because his elbow needed Tommy John surgery.
Last year, Holland pitched for the Rockies, and in 57.1 innings, he had a 3.61 ERA and 3.72 FIP with 10.99 strikeouts, 4.08 walks, and 1.10 home runs allowed per nine innings. Adjusting for league and ballpark, those numbers were much more impressive than the similar ERA and FIP that he posted with the Royals in 2015, but they weren’t exactly vintage Holland.
If the Mets were to acquire Holland before this year’s amateur draft, they’d have to forfeit their second-round pick in the draft and $500,000 in international draft pool money. But the latter can be reacquired, at least in part, if the Mets make trades with teams willing to part with it.
The Mets’ bullpen could be good as currently constituted. But for a team that’s trying to contend, Holland definitely looks like he could help—especially if he’s available at a bargain price, as many free agents were over the course of this offseason.