How Greg Holland's $14M gamble backfired on the Cardinals in 2018
The St. Louis Cardinals took a gamble on veteran closer Greg Holland in 2018. Once a dominant force in the bullpen, his time with the team ended in disappointment. The club signed him to a lucrative one-year deal after losing Alex Reyes to injury—but the move failed to pay off.
Holland arrived in St. Louis with an impressive résumé. A three-time All-Star, he had led the National League in saves just a year earlier, recording 41 with a 3.61 ERA for Colorado. Yet his 2017 season had shown cracks, with a 6.38 ERA in his final 26 appearances.
The Cardinals officially signed him on 31 March 2018 for $14 million. The deal cost them a draft pick, as Holland had turned down a qualifying offer from the Rockies. His debut set an ominous tone: four walks and a run allowed in his first outing. Over 32 games, his struggles continued. Holland posted a 7.92 ERA and a 2.240 WHIP, finishing with a -1.4 bWAR—one of the worst marks of his career. By 27 July, the Cardinals designated him for assignment. Four days later, they released him outright.
Holland's brief stint in St. Louis marked a rare misstep in free agency for the Cardinals. Since then, the team has mostly steered clear of high-priced relievers. The failed experiment cost $14 million, a draft pick, and a spot in the bullpen that never stabilised.
