SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: Jonathan Holder #56 of the New York Yankees delivers the pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays during the seventh inning in Game Two of the American League Division Series at PETCO Park on October 06, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
On Thursday morning, the Chicago Cubs announced they’ve agreed to a new deal with veteran reliever Jonathan Holder.
After spending the first five years of his career in the Bronx, reliever Jonathan Holder will be trading his New York Yankees jersey for a Chicago Cubs one. On Thursday, Chicago announced they’ve inked the hard-throwing righty to a non-guaranteed contract for 2021.
Holder went 3-0 for New York with a concerning 4.98 ERA in 2020. The Cubs will now look to see if he can return to his finer form and help the ball club make some noise next spring and summer.
The Chicago Cubs have signed Jonathan Holder to a new contract
For the Cubs, this is a low-risk, high-reward signing. While Holder isn’t a blockbuster move, he’s proven in the past he can be a reliable arm coming out of the ‘pen. His best season for the Yankees came in 2018 when he appeared in 60 games and posted a 3.14 ERA.
He’s struggled the past two years, however, recording ERAs of 6.31 and 4.98, respectively. In order for him to stay at Wrigley Field and make a difference for the club throughout the season, he’ll need to step his game up and prove to the front office that he belongs.
Meanwhile for Chicago, the club is hoping to make multiple moves to try and help them not only win the NL Central in 2021, but put themselves in a position to compete for the World Series. A name to monitor moving forward is Jackie Bradley Jr., as it was recently reported the Cubs have interest in signing the veteran outfielder.
The addition of Holder looks to be only one of several moves that could be on the way for Chicago. Cubs fans can’t wait to see who else could potentially be joining the team.