Three Pitching Free Agents the Texas Rangers Should Consider

LHP, Derek Holland

Ahh yes. Dutch Oven. A Rangers’ fan favorite that could be in a position to return to the club where he got his start in the MLB. Holland has never been a frontline starter that we may have loved to see him become but he could be the perfect option to take over that 3rd starter role.

Holland is coming off an impressive year with the San Francisco Giants in which 30 starts and threw nearly 175 innings. His ERA jumped down from 6.20 in Chicago in 2017 to 3.57 in 2018 showcasing that he still has the stuff to be an effective pitcher. He saw a resurgence in his strikeout rate as well in 2018 get nearly a strikeout per inning for the Giants.

It’s pretty well assumed that both the Rangers and Holland would be open to a reunion in 2019 and that he would make a great addition as the club transitions to this new ballpark. At only 32, Holland could also come in on a multi-year deal.

Holland probably won’t command even the money that Gio Gonzalez will despite having arguably as good a year last season. I’d be willing to see Texas bring in Derek on a 3-year contract worth around $15 million over the life of the contract. Even in the final year of that deal, he should still be effective enough to be a back-end starter on a good team.