Holland might be good fit for Mets

THE CARDINALS finally could not tolerate the poor pitching of Greg Holland, despite their $14 million investment on him this year. He was designated for assignment Friday.

It will be interesting to see if a contender reaches out hoping to fix him for an immediate benefit. If not, I wonder if the Mets might make a good landing spot.

Their current pitching coach, Dave Eiland, was Holland’s pitching coach in Kansas City from 2012-15 when the right-hander emerged as an elite closer. Holland going to a non-contender would provide unquestioned opportunity the urgency of a pennant race would not afford.

The Mets could afford Holland a chance to work back to being a closer down the stretch while getting a twomonth view of the veteran at a time when they will need to add to their late-game pen for 2019 if they plan to contend.

A person involved with the Mets said it was hard to ignore how poorly Holland has pitched (7.92 ERA in 32 appearances with 22 walks against 22 strikeouts). But that person also acknowledged the Mets are in position to be a laboratory down the stretch and have to be open to all possibilities.

Timing is everything. The Orioles, during their game Tuesday, had agreed with the Yankees on a trade for Zach Britton and thus could not use the closer though he was in uniform. Brad Brach gave up a run, but closed out the game against the Red Sox.

The Twins lost in extra innings Friday to the Red Sox without using their best reliever, Ryan Pressly, because they had agreed during the game to trade him to Houston.

The Yankees’ scheduled game against the Royals was rained out Friday. By the time Saturday’s doubleheader began, Kansas City had traded No. 3 hitter Mike Moustakas to the Brewers. Thus, the Yankees did not have to face the Royals’ main power source in the final three games.