Colorado Rockies: Bud Black says reunion with Greg Holland “on wish list”

During an interview on Monday morning on MLB Network, Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black said that he believes things will hopefully “work out” between his club and now free agent closer Greg Holland.

“I know that, I think that, all things equal, it should work out hopefully,” Black said about the Rockies and Holland reuniting for what would be a second (and potentially longer) season together at Coors Field. Black even said that, “something may be in the works” but did not elaborate on what that might be. He also said, “I think there’s a mutual interest there. That’s part of my wish list.”

Holland tied a Rockies record with 41 saves last season after inking a one-year deal with Colorado in the offseason. Coming back from Tommy John surgery, the move was seen as a high risk-high reward move by the Rockies. It, in fact, paid off for both Holland and Colorado.

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The 32-year-old right-hander went 3-6 in his first National League season with a 3.61 ERA on his way to an All-Star bid and eventually earning NL Comeback Player of the Year honors. His success also paved the way for Holland to test the free agent market as he turned down a $17.4 million qualifying offer from the Rockies.

Now, the question remains whether Holland will re-sign with the Rockies or find a more lucrative deal elsewhere. It has been no secret that the Rockies would like to bring Holland back. However, the Rockies also seem to working on alternate plans for the closer spot by being linked to former Cubs closer Wade Davis and Rays closer Alex Colome.

The Rockies seemed to ensure they would have money to focus on the bullpen by signing catcher Chris Iannetta to a two-year deal last week worth $8.5 million. While reports had Colorado working to re-sign catcher Jonathan Lucroy, the reunion would have come with a much higher price tag. MLBTradeRumors.com has predicted that Lucroy would fetch a two-year, $24 million price. With a difference of an estimated $15.5 million between the catcher contracts, that money can now be possibly fed into re-signing Holland.

Next: What is the long-term future of Nolan Arenado in a Rockies uniform?

Will that happen? That is one of the biggest question marks currently facing the Rockies as they hope to keep building upon 2017’s momentum.