Yankees Rumors: Team Officials to Attend Greg Holland’s Showcase Monday

The New York Yankees are one of several MLB clubs who will send representatives to watch former elite closer Greg Holland‘s workout on Monday.

George A. King of the New York Post reports that team officials from the New York Yankees will be on hand when free agent reliever Greg Holland holds a workout for his prospective suitors on Monday in Scottsdale Arizona.

Although it hasn’t been confirmed, it seems at least plausible that general manager Brian Cashman could make the trip to Grand Canyon University to watch Holland throw, as he will be in Scottsdale starting Monday for the annual GM Meetings that run until Wednesday.

Recent rumors suggest that the Yankees will pursue one of the high profile closers that will hit the free agent market. According to Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball, their preferred choice is Aroldis Chapman, who they traded to the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline. They view Kenley Jansen as a backup plan, but he is a less desirable target because they would have to surrender a draft pick. Reuniting with former farmhand Mark Melancon is also an option.

More from Yankees News

• Why weren’t Yankees in on Kodai Senga now that we know the price?
• Baseball Reference proves Yankees’ Aaron Judge lives rent free in Boston
• Yankees’ Clay Holmes trade just became even bigger disaster for Pirates
• Mets stealing New York Post’s entire Yankees offseason plan is hilarious
• Yankees add to championship core with Wilmer Difo signing

While those three free agents could all break Jonathan Papelbon‘s record for the largest contract given to a relief pitcher this winter, Greg Holland represents an opportunity to get a similarly dominant late-inning arm at a fraction of the price.

Of course, Holland comes with considerable risk after missing the entire 2016 season with Tommy John surgery. He was one of the game’s most valuable relievers with the Kansas City Royals from 2011-2014, although his numbers took a bit of a hit in 2015 when he attempted to pitch throw his UCL injury, eventually going under the knife in October of that year.

It isn’t clear whether the Yankees view Holland as an alternative to signing Chapman and Jansen, or if he could be part of another trio of shutdown relievers, a strategy they used pretty effectively in the first half of 2016. He seems like one of the most intriguing bargains available this offseason, so it is great news to hear that New York at least has some degree of interest in bringing him on board.

Next: Most Important Dates for the Yankees Offseason

Other teams confirmed to be attending Holland’s showcase include the Giants, the Red Sox, and the Rangers. Presumably his old club the Royals have interest in a reunion as well.