San Francisco Giants making moves, bring back Derek Holland

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Derek Holland #45 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at AT&T Park on September 24, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 24: Derek Holland #45 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at AT&T Park on September 24, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco Giants delivered on their promise of a new player. It’s not exactly a new player, just a new contract for an older one! They bring back Derek Holland on a one year deal with club option.

Farhan Zaidi said the San Francisco Giants would announce a trade or signing this week, and he was right. Ken Rosenthal reported this morning that the Giants were bringing back Derek Holland on a one year deal.

Per more Rosenthal tweets, the structure of the deal is as follows:

2019 guaranteed at $7 million

2020 club option w/base of $6.5 million, $500k buyout

The 2020 option, increases to $7 million for 24 starts, $7.5 million for 28 starts, $8.5 million for 32 starts.

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Holland was a surprise success for the Giants last season. Holland earned the big league deal with a solid spring training, and ended up leading the club in innings pitched for 2018. Holland posted a 3.57 ERA in 171.1 innings. He struck out 169 and only walked 67.

Holland benefitted from the friendly pitching confines of AT&T yes, but his peripherals showed that it wasn’t a joke. His 3.87 FIP and 1.290 WHIP showed that his season had been no fluke.

He made 30 starts in 2018, which shows the possibility of him reaching his $7.5 million is certainly there.

However, due to his bullpen time, he still made 36 appearances. Given how they are planning to use the starter role at times this year, I wouldn’t be shocked if Holland ended up surpassing the 32 starts and guaranteeing his option for 2020 is $8.5 million.

With Holland officially back in the mix for 2019, the Giants rotation seems like it’s in pretty good shape. With hopefully a healthy MadBum, a rotation with Holland, Rodriguez and Suarez should serve pretty well.

. Next

It’s the first move that might actually affect the big league roster that the Giants have made this offseason. Whether or not there is more to come, is a different story. But bringing back Holland, at a relatively below market price, is a good start.