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Washington Nationals: Which Closers Are A Good Fit?

By Matt Weyrich

Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals during game four of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 13, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland (56) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. The Angels won the game 7-6. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland (56) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Angels in the ninth inning at Kauffman Stadium. The Angels won the game 7-6. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

Greg Holland

Perhaps the most intriguing option on the free agent market, Greg Holland has received interest from several teams across the league this offseason. Holland missed the entire 2016 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, but was one of the best relievers in baseball from 2011 to 2014.

The former Royals reliever eclipsed 60 innings in four straight seasons and has a career K/9 of 12.1. He uses a fastball/slider combination while occasionally mixing in a curveball and splitter. His fastball did average 96 mph before going under the needle, but it would be pretty reasonable to expect him to lose a little bit in the recovery process.

Holland was the team’s primary closer in 2013 and 2014, playing an integral part in the team’s running at the American League pennant in 2014. He has World Series experience and at only 31 years old, still has plenty of years ahead of him.

The Nats already have a set-up man in Shawn Kelley who’s received two Tommy John surgeries in his career, and the team hasn’t shown any hesitance in signing pitchers who underwent the surgery before. Holland would be a much cheaper option than either Chapman or Jansen, making him much more enticing.

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