Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants saw firsthand that the Cubs bullpen needed help. Then they traded Chicago some.
San Francisco shipped Derek Holland, who had been designated for assignment, to the Cubs on Friday. Cash considerations are going both ways; the Giants will get some relief on a $7 million contract for this season.
After a solid 2018, Holland was a disappointment as a starter this season, but had revived his value out of the bullpen. Until a dud of a finale with the Giants, the lefty had pitched 13 1/3 innings while allowing one run in 10 games.
He was most useful against lefties, who had posted a .182/.276/.195 slash line against him this season. He could help a Chicago bullpen that blew a 4-1 lead in the eighth inning at Oracle Park on Monday.
Farhan Zaidi had predicted there would be interest in Holland, rather than the Giants losing him for nothing while having to pay out the contract.
“The ability to get lefties out is pretty valuable,” Zaidi said Sunday. “We’re in a position where we’ve got a lefty closer, lefty setup man, and right-handed relievers who are actually doing really well against left-handed hitters. … I think there’ll be interest in him.”