Derek Holland to the San Francisco Giants on minor league deal

Lefthanded pitcher Derek Holland, former long-time Texas Rangers and, in 2017, a member of the Chicago White Sox, has agreed to a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants, according to reports on Twitter.

Holland, 31, was a key part of the really good Texas Ranger teams in the early part of this decade before a knee injury suffered when he tripped over his dog on the stairs necessitated microfracture surgery, costing him most of the 2014 season. Holland was great upon his return to action in 2014, putting up a 1.46 ERA in six appearances, but then missed most of 2015 with a shoulder injury that also plagued him in 2016.

The Rangers declined their 2017 team option on him last offseason, and he joined the ChiSox on a one year deal. That worked out poorly, however, as Holland put up a 6.20 ERA and a 6.45 FIP in 135 innings over 26 starts and 3 relief appearances, and ended up getting released before the season was over.

Holland will be trying to get his major league career back on track this spring with the Giants, and I think pretty much everyone who knew him or followed him while he was with Texas is rooting for him. Holland had that legendary Game Four World Series performance in 2011 that is arguably the best postseason game any Ranger pitcher has had, which will always give him a special place in Ranger lore, and he’s considered one of the really good guys to play for the team.

Best of luck to the Dutch Oven in San Fran...