FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- The Rockies and two-time All-Star righty reliever Greg Holland are closing in on a one-year deal with a vesting option for a second year, pending a physical, according to various media reports that were confirmed by a baseball source.
The Rockies have not announced the pending agreement and declined to comment, and the timetable on the physical is unclear.
 
Rockies agree to a one-year deal with Greg Holland
 
BSN Denver was first to report the deal, along with FanRag Sports and Yahoo! Sports. Financial terms were not immediately known, but a Major League source said the deal is for $7 million.
Holland, 31, was an American League All-Star with the Royals in 2013 and '14, and pitched through a right elbow injury for most of 2015 before being shut down late in a regular season that saw Kansas City win the World Series. Holland underwent Tommy John surgery to repair the UCL ligament in the elbow and missed the 2016 season.
Rockies pitching coach Steve Foster was the Royals' bullpen coach when Holland broke into the Majors in 2010, and that was believed to be a selling point. The Nationals, looking to replace free agent Mark Melancon, were considered a prime competitor for Holland.
Last season, the Rockies' bullpen posted the Majors' highest ERA at 5.13. The Rockies began addressing the issue by signing lefty Mike Dunn, formerly of the Marlins, for three years and $19 million, with an available $1 million a year in performance bonuses based on games finished. If Holland is healthy and back to form, the Rockies will have the experienced Major League closer they have lacked.
Holland posted a 1.32 ERA and 93 saves for the Royals in 2013 and '14 -- a period that saw him strike out 13.4 batters per nine innings. In 2015, while struggling with pain in the elbow, Holland still went 3-2 with a 3.83 ERA and 32 saves.
Over six seasons, Holland has struck out 12.1 batters per nine innings.
The Rockies also have right-hander Adam Ottavino, who was the closer for part of 2015 before undergoing Tommy John surgery and after returning last July; lefty Jake McGee, the closer at the start of last season; and righty Carlos Estevez, who became closer when McGee suffered a left knee injury last June. If all are healthy, and with the addition of Dunn, the Rockies have hard throwers from both sides that can either operate in a setup role for Holland, or take some of the ninth-inning load if Holland isn't at full strength.
However, Holland looked healthy in November, when he pitched for scouts from multiple teams at a showcase in Arizona. His velocity was understandably nowhere near the 96-mph range that it was when he was dominant with the Royals, but teams left the workout believing he could be healthy for 2017.
Once the deal becomes official, the Rockies will have to clear a spot on the 40-man Major League roster.
In addition to the pending Holland signing and the contract with Dunn, the Rockies have signed Ian Desmond to play first base for five years and $70 million, and utility man Alexi Amarista to a one-year deal that guarantees $1.25 million this year -- a $1.1 million salary and a $150,000 buyout on a $2.5 million option for 2018.
Before the offseason began, Rockies owner Dick Monfort announced that general manager Jeff Bridich had the go-ahead to expand payroll beyond the $120,568,480 figure at the end of last season. Counting Holland's reported salary, the Rockies have committed $96,703,571 to 15 players, and the $22 million they must pay Mets infielder Jose Reyes -- whom they released last year -- brings the current payroll to $118,703,571.
Thomas Harding / MLB.com
 

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