HONORABLE MENTION: GREG HOLLAND
2017: 1.4 WAR, 41 Saves, 3.61 ERA, 57.1 IP, 11 K/9
Greg Holland served as the Colorado Rockies closer for 2017, and saw a return to form. His high strikeout rate and experience in the World Series make him an extremely interesting candidate for Boston.
The former Royal’s success this past season came as a surprise to many around the league due to Tommy John surgery he received in the fall of 2015. The surgery forced him to miss all of the 2015 playoffs, and Kansas City’s World Series championship. He was released by Kansas City, and missed all of 2016. This seemed to have no ill effect to Holland’s abilities as a hard throwing closer, as he was chosen to the NL All-Star team.
Unfortunately, however, he only makes it in as honorable mention. This is because of his career standing as a closer. He has a career 2.60 ERA and has accumulated 186 saves over his career. In case you didn’t know, Boston already has a really good closer in Kimbrel. Compound that with the fact that teams like the Cubs, Nationals and Brewers could sign him to fill their void at the closers role, and you see how Holland-to-Boston becomes less likely. However, if Holland would be willing to take a reduced role with the Red Sox he would be a fantastic fit.