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Colorado Rockies: The 5 best free agent signings in franchise history

ByKevin Henry|
16 Apr 1998: Outfielders Ellis Burks and Larry Walker of the Colorado Rockies in action during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The Dodgers won the game, 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
16 Apr 1998: Outfielders Ellis Burks and Larry Walker of the Colorado Rockies in action during a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The Dodgers won the game, 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
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DENVER, CO – JULY 18: Greg Holland #56 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on July 18, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JULY 18: Greg Holland #56 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the ninth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field on July 18, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Greg Holland
Signed in 2017

Perhaps there was no free agent signing by the Rockies in recent memory that was as much “high-risk, high-reward” as when Colorado inked closer Greg Holland to a one-year deal prior to the 2017 season.

Coming off Tommy John surgery, no one was sure what Holland would bring as a reliever. However, Holland exceeded all expectations, leading all of Major League Baseball with 58 finished games and pacing the National League with 41 saves.

Holland started his time in a Rockies uniform strong, going 11-for-11 in save opportunities with a 1.50 ERA in 12 April appearances. It would be part of a first half that saw him post a 1-1 mark with a 1.62 ERA and post 28 saves in 29 save opportunities.

The second half, however, would be different as Holland went 2-5 with a 6.38 ERA. That rocky end to the season was one of the reasons why the Rockies didn’t resign him and Wade Davis (another free agent signing) now serves as Colorado’s closer.

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