The Rangers lefty is getting five years’ worth of job security after his fine 2011 season. And maybe more than that!
2009 Derek Holland vs. 2011 Derek Holland
Monday night, the Texas Rangers were said to be close to signing Derek Holland to a five-year contract. Tuesday morning, what was close became official: the Rangers and Holland agreed to five years and $28.5 million, with sixth- and seventh-year club options. Holland signed away at least one year of free agency, and the club options look Rangers-friendly at this point.
One of the motivations for this deal from the Rangers’ perspective is how Holland improved in the 2011 season. What I find interesting, though, is how similar Holland was as a starter in 2011 to himself as a starter in 2009. A comparison:
Read Article >Rangers Sign Derek Holland To Five-Year Contract Extension
Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers starting pitcher Derek Holland poses for a picture during the Rangers photo day at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-US PRESSWIRE If Holland continues his 2011 performance level over that five-year period, Texas could be getting quite a bargain. Fangraphs says Holland’s 2011 season was worth $16.1 million in current dollars, and the average annual value of the deal, according to the Heyman tweet, is just a little over $5 million.
This is part of a trend in which teams are locking up younger players, buying out arbitration years and the first year or two of free agency, paying some money now in order to avoid paying more later. You might even call it the new market inefficiency, or at least trying to take advantage of market conditions before they burn you. The deal also includes team options that could keep Holland in a Rangers uniform through 2018:
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