Cubs Acquire LHP Derek Holland for Cash Considerations

Well, the Cubs managed to land a Giants lefty after all. In a move I initially thought was a joke, the Cubs acquired lefty Derek Holland and cash considerations from the Giants for…cash considerations? Maybe it’s a money-laundering scheme. Lefty Tim Collins was designated for assignment to make room on the roster.

The Giants traded Derek Holland and cash to the Cubs for different cash.

— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) July 26, 2019

Holland was designated for assignment after performing relatively poorly this season, though his overt criticism of the front office probably contributed to his departure. If you look past the overall numbers, it’s easy to see why the Cubs, who’ve been looking for lefty relief help, would be interested in Holland.

He has held left-handed hitters to a .182/.276/.195 slash (.471 OPS) with just one extra-base hit, a double in 89 plate appearances.  Among all NL pitchers this year, Holland has allowed the second-lowest slugging, third-lowest OPS and seventh-lowest batting average to left-handed hitters. In other words, he doesn’t need to face any righties while wearing a Cubs uniform.

Exactly how the Cubs fit him in and what’s up with the money both ways, we’ll have to wait and see. The Collins DFA cleared a 40-man spot, but Holland won’t be activated until Saturday. Perhaps Rowan Wick goes back down. Holland was on a $6.5 million deal with escalators and has a $500K buyout on next year’s $7 million club option, so figure on some offsets there.