The Chicago Cubs have acquired starting pitcher Derek Holland and cash considerations from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for cash considerations. Relief pitcher Tim Collins has been designated for assignment by the Cubs to make room for Holland on the 40 man roster. Holland has pitched eleven seasons and is now joining his fourth major league team. He has a career record of 78-77 to along with a 4.51 ERA.
The #Cubs today acquired LHP Derek Holland and a cash consideration from the Giants for a cash consideration.
To make room for Holland on the 40-man roster, LHP Tim Collins has been designated for assignment. pic.twitter.com/fhp8ZHBQjb
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 26, 2019
Chicago Cubs Acquire Derek Holland
Meet Derek Holland
Derek Lane Holland is a left-handed pitcher who played baseball while attending Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama. In 2006, the Texas Rangers selected Holland in the 25th round of the MLB draft. He sports a 95 mph fastball which got him the nickname “Dutch Oven.” Holland has been a starting pitcher for most of his career. However, this year he has made only seven starts in 31 appearances.
Minor League Career
Holland pitched two years in the Rangers minor league system before getting called up just after the start of the 2009 season. In the minors, he compiled a 17-7 record with a 2.68 ERA, while striking out 245 batters in 221 innings. Despite appearing in 33 games with 21 starts for the Rangers, he spent the majority of the 2010 season at Triple-A Oklahoma City. In Triple-A, Holland had a 6-2 record and a 1.78 ERA. After several injuries to the Rangers starting pitchers, Holland was called up. He would remain a part of the Rangers rotation for several more seasons.
Holland the Ranger
On April 22, 2009, Holland made his major league debut against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. However, Holland’s rookie year was not very successful. The lefty finished the season with an 8-13 record and a 6.12 ERA. In 2010, Holland pitched much better, posting a 3-4 record and a 4.08 ERA. Also, the Rangers were beginning their run of two straight world series appearances, and Holland pitched in both.
In the 2011 season, Holland had perhaps the best year of his career, pitching to a 16-5 record with a 3.95 ERA and recording four shutouts. He also appeared in six postseason games (starting in four of them), and had a 2-0 record.
Before the start of the 2012 season, Holland signed a five-year contract extension which included a two-year club option to stay in Texas. Holland went 12-7 but pitched to a high ERA of 4.67. He also gave up the fifth-most home runs in MLB with 32.
In 2013, Holland once again had a big season, resulting in a 10-9 record and a 3.42 ERA. His ERA in 2013 would be the lowest of his major league career.
Holland’s Injuries
Prior to the 2014 season, Holland tore the cartilage in his left knee while playing with his dog at home. As a result, he had arthroscopic microfracture surgery and was out until after the All-Star break. Holland was limited to six starts and finished the season with a 2-0 record and a 1.46 ERA.
In 2015, Holland started the Rangers home opener. Unfortunately, he strained his subscapularis muscle and was placed on the injured list. He would not make his next start until August 19th. Holland would start just ten games, and he finished the 2015 season with a 4-3 record and a 4.91 ERA. His last game as a Ranger came in the NLDS against the Toronto Blue Jays. Holland started the game and gave up six runs in two innings.
The South Side Of Chicago
After the Rangers declined the club option on Holland he signed a one year contract with the Chicago White Sox. He had perhaps the worst year of his career with a 7-14 record and a career-high 6.20 ERA. He was released in September and became a free agent.
The Bay Area
Holland signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants in the 2018 season and was called up to the majors after injuries to Madison Bumgarner and Jeff Samardzija. He finished the season with a 7-9 record and a 3.57 ERA. The Giants resigned Holland to a one year deal with a club option for the 2020 season.
The 2019 season didn’t start off well for Holland as he was placed on the injured list on April 29th with a bone bruise in his left index finger. On May 11th, in his first start back, he was shelled — giving up seven runs in 2.2 innings. Holland made news when he told the media he faked an injury and questioned how the Giants front office ran the team. Obviously, the Giants were not happy with Holland’s actions, and as a result he was relegated to long relief appearances.
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