© Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Derek Holland is a San Francisco Giant no longer. He was designated for assignment as a move to create roster flexibility and utilize players with minor league options on Sunday, making way for Conner Menez and Zach Green, who made their debuts in the Giants’ 3-2, 12th-inning win over the New York Mets, thanks to a walk-off home run by Mike Yastrzemski.
Holland had something of a career year last season, something he credited to pitching from a different side of the rubber, and earned himself a two-year contract worth roughly $7 million in 2019, but with little money guaranteed on a second year in 2020. Holland thanked the Giants for his year-plus with the team.
It’s crazy that i just got put on waivers but it’s a business and i guess i was not performing well enough lately and i respect the decision that was made. But i must say i truly am… https://t.co/O2ow98UJvr
— Derek Holland (@Dutch_Oven45) July 22, 2019
On his Instagram, which is private, Holland wrote the following, hoping for a 2000th win for Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who is now just 24 wins away from that mark with 62 games to go (meaning a 24-38 record the rest of the way would hit that mark):
It’s crazy that i just got put on waivers but it’s a business and i guess i was not performing well enough lately and i respect the decision that was made. But i must say i truly am grateful for the opportunity that i was given from the @sfgiants organization and was an honor to be able to play for #Bochy. I hope to see Bochy get his 2000 win as he deserves it. I want to thank my teammates and coaching staff for being so great to me and constantly helping me to be better on the field. Lots of talent on that field and in that club house. Bunch of talent coming up soon to help as well. Giants fans will be pleased with what’s heading that way. Thank you training staff for keeping me healthy and helping me maintain everything and go out and perform every time i was called for action. To the fans i truly can’t thank you all enough for always being so supportive and being there for me through the good times and the rough times. You fans make coming to the yard something so special. I thank the @sfgiants for the opportunity and look forward to what lies ahead. It’s been fun being with the talented group of guys in that club house and wish nothing but the best and success to those guys. Thank you everyone for being so supportive and love the messages that have been sent. #giantsnation is always going to be something special for me. And i thank you all for the time here. God bless #forevergiant#blessed #thankyou #forevergrateful