Cubs acquire veteran reliever |
MILWAUKEE – The Chicago Cubs today acquired left-handed pitcher Derek Holland and a cash consideration from the San Francisco Giants for a cash consideration. To make room for Holland on the 40-man roster, left-handed pitcher Tim Collins has been designated for assignment.
Holland, 32, has pitched exclusively in relief for the Giants since mid-May and overall this year has limited left-handed hitters to a .182 batting average (14-for-77), .276 on-base percentage, .195 slugging mark and .471 OPS, as he has allowed only one extra-base hit, a double, to lefties in 89 plate appearances. Among all N.L. pitchers against left-handed hitters this year, Holland has allowed the second-lowest slugging, third-lowest OPS and seventh-lowest batting average. The southpaw went 1-0 with a 0.68 ERA (1 ER/13.1 IP) in 10 relief outings from June 24-July 18 before allowing four runs in 1.0 inning on July 20 vs. the Mets and being designated for assignment the next day. Overall, Holland posted a 2-4 record with a 5.90 ERA (45 ER/68.2 IP) in 31 appearances (24 relief outings) with the Giants this season. Holland owns a 78-77 career record with a 4.51 ERA (682 ER/1,360.0 IP) in 275 big league appearances (221 starts) covering all or part of the last 11 seasons with the Texas Rangers (2009-16), Chicago White Sox (2017) and San Francisco Giants (2018-19). Collins, 29, posted no record with a 3.12 ERA (3 ER/8.2 IP) in nine relief outings with the Cubs this season. With Iowa, he has gone 1-3 with a 4.67 ERA (14 ER/27.0 IP) in 28 relief appearances. Chicago’s 40-man roster remains at 40 players. The #Cubs today acquired LHP Derek Holland and a cash consideration from the Giants for a cash consideration. Text from Holland: "I just want to say thanks to the Giants organization for everything they have done for me and helping me in the process. It was truly a blessing to get to wear the Giants uniform. Looking forward to being with the #Cubs." #SFGiants Holland has faced 89 lefties this year and they slashed .182/.276/.195 against him. K and BB numbers are okay (20.2% and 10.15% respectively), but he's getting a crazy 75.9% GB rate against LHBs. .629 OPS against and 59.1% GB rate vs. lefties for his career. The cash-for-cash in the Derek Holland deal probably has something to do with the $500,000 buyout on his option for next season. Cubs are over the luxury tax this year. So they're probably covering the buyout and getting the Giants to pay down a chunk of 2019 salary. Holland will not be in uniform with the Cubs tonight. Team will have one left hander in the pen tonight .
To make room for Holland on the 40-man roster, LHP Tim Collins has been designated for assignment. pic.twitter.com/fhp8ZHBQjb
