MLB Rumors: Cincinnati Reds Looking To Add More Heat With Derek Holland

The Cincinnati Reds are trying to cover all bases and one of them is their starting pitcher needs. That said, reports have now come out in the open that the team has been in contact with Derek Holland in the offseason, spurring the possibility of having the 32-year-old returning home.

Aware that upgrades to their starting pitching are a need, Jon Morosi said that seeing Holland hook up with the Reds makes plenty of sense. He is from Newark, Ohio and reportedly prefers to pitch for NL teams because he likes staying more involved in games.

For the benefit who may not be fully acquainted with Holland, he played for the San Francisco Giants last season. Ironically, new Reds general manager David Bell served as the vice president of layer development for San Francisco last season before he was named the 63rd manager of the Cincinnati Reds in Oct. 21, MLB.com noted.

That alone further solidifies the potential arrival of Holland to Cincinnati. Though unspectacular, he could end up as a solid signing for the Reds. He went 7-9 last season and owns a 3.57 ERA in 37 appearances, 30 of where he started, Fansided reported.

Combining all the facts surrounding a potential Reds' signing of Holland somehow hints that it may be only a matter of time before everything is made official. But there are other things to consider.

There is the matter of how the Reds can utilize him outside of being a pitcher and his likely place on the Reds starting rotation. Cincinnati already has the likes of Tanner Roark and Alex Wood, raising questions on the feasibility of adding the former 25th pick of the Texas Rangers back in 2006.

The Reds are, however, not the only team talking to Holland. The Texas Rangers have also reportedly reached out to their former pick on a possible reunion. And according to Sports Day, that possibility has intrigued the 32-year-old starting pitcher.

Holland originally spent eight seasons with the Rangers. He went 16-5 with a 3.95 ERA in 2011 and working 213 innings with a 3.42 ERA in 2013. After several injuries and becoming inefficient for the next three seasons, Texas opted not to pick up the club option in 2016. He spent the last two years with the Chicago White Sox and the Giants.

It remains unclear on whether the Rangers would be a starter or doing some relief work. But if his performance last season is to be considered, he could be an would be an effective multi-inning lefty reliever.