The 32-year-old lefthander had a record of 2-4 with an ERA of 5.90 in 31 appearances ( Seven starts) this season in his second season with the Giants after a decent 2018 in San Francisco (7-9, but a 3.54 ERA in 30 starts).
Holland started the season in the starting rotation and his first five starts weren't awful, but in what turned out to be his final two starts of the season, Holland allowed six and seven earned runs and would never return to the rotation.
Holland pitched well from the bullpen over the last month but allowed four runs in one inning in his final appearance last Saturday and in a bullpen with fellow southpaws Will Smith and Tony Watson (for now at least) Holland had become a luxury item.
The one very minor surprise of this deal is that the Giants didn't receive some type of low minors/recent signee from the lowest level for Holland rather than bank whatever cash the Cubs paid.
Perhaps that was the only offer or the Giants weren't enamored with any of the lottery tickets that might have been offered by Chicago and were just happy to get something for a player that they possibly could have been considered for release.
Two weeks ago, I figured I'd be writing about the Giants return for Madison Bumgarner, Will Smith, and Tony Watson.
Now all three could still be Giants at this time next week.
Considering the Pirates decision last year to allow a few weeks of strong play allow them to delude themselves that they were contenders and cost themselves Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow, I'm more than a little concerned that the Giants may be doing the exact same thing.
Could this run be fools gold in the long run?
Perhaps, but it has put pressure on the Giants to make the right decision on personnel and one that could affect the future of the franchise.
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