Nats sign reliever Greg Holland (again)

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The Washington Nationals love a reclamation project out of the bullpen.

The latest move by Nats general manager Mike Rizzo is to sing right-hander Greg Holland to a minor-league deal (pending a physical), according to Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post.

Holland, 33, became a free agent after the Arizona Diamondbacks designated him for assignment after he lost the closer's role due to ineffectiveness: A 4.54 ERA in 40 appearances. He joined Arizona during the offseason on a one-year, $3.5 million deal.

Sound familiar? Well, Holland joined the Nationals in August 2018 after the St. Louis Cardinals exiled him following a rough patch saw him post a 7.92 ERA in 25 innings. In Washington he made 24 appearances and was quite effective, pitching to a 0.84 ERA over 21 1/3 innings and tallying three saves.

Holland was a three-time All-Star closer for the Royals and Rockies before struggling during each of the past two seasons. During his final year of effectiveness, Holland recorded 41 saves and had a 3.61 ERA in 61 games for Colorado.

This is another low risk, high reward signing, similar to the addition of 42-year-old Fernando Rodney on a minor league deal. Rizzo and the Nats added three relievers at the July 31 trade deadline, too. There's no indication of how soon Holland may arrive at the big league level, but the Nationals bullpen has struggled throughout the season and may need help soon.
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