Texas Rangers Target Derek Holland Signs with the Giants

It seems a reunion between the Texas Rangers and fan favorite Derek Holland wasn’t in the cards this offseason as he rejoins the Giants.

Former Texas Rangers starter and fan favorite Derek Holland was heavily linked with a return to Arlington as the Rangers looked to bolster their rotation. It seems a reunion between the two parties though is a no-go this offseason as Holland signed a 1-year, $7 million deal with an option for 2020 to return to the San Francisco Giants, the club with which he spent the 2018 season.

While nothing ever materialized passed the point of noted mutual interest, Holland seemed a somewhat likely candidate to join the Texas Rangers pitching staff given his veteran presence and bounce back season in 2018.

Why Did A Deal Not Get Done?

Reason number 1 on why a deal between Holland and the Rangers didn’t happen likely has to do with contract terms. Holland is going to get $7 million from the Giants in 2019 and while that’s not an outlandish price tag, it is a financial commitment for a team with eyes looking past this upcoming season like the Rangers.

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Additionally, the addition of starting pitcher Shelby Miller means that the Texas rotation is actually a bit crowded at this point. Mike Minor and Lance Lynn should be automatic inclusions at the top of the rotation but beyond them, any combination of Miller, Drew Smyly, Edinson Volquez, Yohander Mendez, Ariel Jurado, and Jordan Romano could fill the remaining spots. While Holland is coming off a good year, Texas likely wants to see what they have in some of these other starters long-term and with a limited number of rotation spots, adding another name to the mix didn’t make much sense.

Could There Be A Future Deal?

If you’re one of the fans devastated that Holland won’t be returning to Texas this season the door is still open for a return. Holland only inked a 1-year deal with a team option meaning he could be a free agent again come next offseason. If he has another quality season, he could be in for one final payday in his career and Texas could get involved. On a 2-year deal, the Rangers could lock-in another starter that could help them get over the hump during this rebuild.

Personally, I still think it’s more likely than not that Holland rejoins the Rangers at some point before he calls it a career. He’s beloved by the franchise and its fans and he’s a more than capable starter. Until then, best of luck to “Dutch Oven” in San Francisco.