Reds rumors: Cincinnati Reds reach out to pitcher Derek Holland

The Reds rumors are back, this time it involves Ohio-native Derek Holland. Could the Cincinnati Reds add the veteran left-hander?

The latest Reds rumors come from Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Morosi reports that the Cincinnati Reds have been in contact with former San Francisco Giants pitcher Derek Holland this offseason. Could the Reds bring the Ohio-native home?

This report should not come as a shock to anyone, as the Reds should turn over every single stone possible in pursuit of upgrades to their starting pitching. It’s also worth noting that Holland played for the Giants last season, which is the same organization that new Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell worked for last season.

Derek Holland could be an unspectacular, yet solid signing for Cincinnati should this rumor become a reality. Holland, a former 25th round pick of the Texas Rangers in 2006, went 7-9 last season with a 3.57 ERA in 37 appearances, 30 of them starts.

Morosi also mentions in the report that Holland prefers to stay in the National League, as it would afford him the opportunity to be more involved in games. Make no mistake, Holland is no Michael Lorenzen, last season was his first real experience at the plate. He had only 19 plate appearances in 9 career seasons in the American League while playing for the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox.

Holland’s career batting average is is .074 and he has a .113 on-base percentage. He’s accounted for zero stolen bases and only one extra-base hit in his 10 year career. I find it a little odd that the Reds would utilize Holland in situations other than just a pitcher, but I could be wrong.

I find the whispers about the Reds interests in Holland to be a little bit hype than anything else at this point. While the Reds may have reached to Holland, he’s likely no better than Tanner Roark or Alex Wood, and Cincinnati doesn’t need another No. 4 or No. 5 starter.

MLB Trade Rumors predicted earlier this offseason that Holland could find his way back home to Ohio and collect a 2-year/$15M contract. A one-year deal with a team option for another seems a bit more plausible to me, but the numbers are pretty spot on to what a player of Holland’s status could haul in.

With the new year coming, look for the Reds rumors to keep flying. At the very least, this is a sign that the Cincinnati Reds are not yet finished reshaping their starting rotation. The Reds need starting pitching and Holland, at the very least, fits that mold.