Report: Braves checked in on Holland
The Atlanta Braves may not seem like the most logical fit for right-hander Greg Holland, but that apparently didn't prevent them from showing interest in the 32-year-old free-agent closer.
Atlanta has at least checked in on the three-time All-Star, who tied for the NL lead in saves (41) last season, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.
Braves people say they have limited funds, according to Heyman, which could keep the two sides from reaching a deal. Holland reportedly turned down a three-year, $52-million offer from the Colorado Rockies.
Jim Johnson led the Braves in saves last season with 22, but he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in November. Atlanta still has Arodys Vizcaino, who saved 14 games in 17 chances last year, on the roster, but additional depth with proven big-league success would certainly help a bullpen that finished 13th in the NL in ERA last season.
It does seem clear that Holland won't be joining the Texas Rangers, who surfaced as a potential landing spot. On Thursday, general manager Jon Daniels told Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the team doesn't plan to add a closer from outside the organization.
Holland has 186 saves under his belt from a seven-year career that also includes two top-10 finishes in Cy Young voting and a World Series title with the Kansas City Royals in 2015.