The San Francisco Giants have signed left-handed starting pitcher Derek Holland to a minor-league deal, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
Derek Holland is signing a minor league deal with San Francisco. Good oppprtunity for him.
— Evan Grant (@Evan_P_Grant) February 9, 2018
Holland, 31, started 26 games in his only season with the White Sox last year, and was largely shelled, posting a 6.20 ERA in 29 total appearances. Previously Holland played eight seasons with the Texas Rangers who drafted him out of Wallace State Community College (AL) in the 25th round of the 2006 draft. Holland had a 4.35 ERA during his time with the Rangers.
While Holland, nicknamed the Dutch Oven, is being signed to a minor-league deal, it wouldn’t be a long-shot for him to make the Giants rotation with an impressive showing in Spring Training. Competition for the final two spots currently involves a number of prospects (Chris Stratton, Ty Blach, Tyler Beede, Andrew Suarez) with limited MLB experience.
Bobby Evans says Derek Holland will compete for starter or relief role. Stratton, Blach are penciled in to 4-5 spots. And no contract talk with Bumgarner. They are focused elsewhere on adding pitching depth.
— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) February 9, 2018
Holland also has a ton of postseason experience, and pitched in two games against the Giants in the 2010 World Series.