Cubs Trade for Lefty Derek Holland After Giants DFA'd Him
By Parker White
On Friday, the Chicago Cubs announced the acquisition of veteran left-handed starter (and recent reliever) Derek Holland from the San Francisco Giants for cash considerations.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Cubs have designated left-handed pitcher Tim Collins for assignment.
The #Cubs today acquired LHP Derek Holland and a cash consideration from the Giants for a cash consideration.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 26, 2019
To make room for Holland on the 40-man roster, LHP Tim Collins has been designated for assignment. pic.twitter.com/fhp8ZHBQjb
San Francisco recently DFA'd Holland, who is getting paid $6.5 million this year, including a $500,000 buyout. Holland's deal also includes a $7 million club option for 2020.
In 31 appearances (seven starts), Holland owns a 5.90 ERA with 71 strikeouts over 68.1 innings.
Cubs Acquire Derek Holland, Designate Tim Collins https://t.co/qkUJ9DKEFE pic.twitter.com/yoDRf3Jor2
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) July 26, 2019
Holland is a starter by trade, but the southpaw will be used in a relief capacity in Chicago, something the Cubs have been in a desperate search for all season (stunningly, the solution wasn't Collins himself). At the very least, Holland will give Chicago a multi-inning long reliever.
Collins, 29, only made nine appearances out of the Cubs bullpen this year, posting a 3.12 ERA with only four strikeouts through 8.2 innings. Holland is much more well-known at this point for his work with the Rangers earlier in the decade, helping them to back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011, though he struggled in both Fall Classics.