White Sox sign Derek Holland to 1-year, $6 million deal

The White Sox signed veteran starter Derek Holland to a one-year deal Wednesday, according to MLB.com’s TR Sullivan.

The deal can be worth up to $8 million with incentives, according to Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. Holland’s base salary is $6 million, Grant adds.

Holland picked the White Sox over the Pirates, according to our own Chris Cotillo. Texas also had some interest in a reunion with the lefty, and the Padres and Yankees were also linked to him.

The Rangers attempted to trade Holland before deciding to decline his club option at the beginning of the offseason. The lefty ultimately became a free agent after Texas paid him a $1.5 million buyout. The Rangers declined his $11.5 million club option after Holland pitched to a 4.95 ERA and 4.75 FIP over 107.1 innings last season.

Chicago lost a starter after trading Chris Sale to the Red Sox during the Winter Meetings and adds depth by signing Holland, who has been plagued by injuries the last three seasons. However, when healthy, Holland has proven to be an effective middle of the rotation option.

Even with Sale, Chicago’s rotation pitched to a 4.33 ERA, which ranked seventh in the American League, last season. Holland is a bounce-back candidate and could prove to be a valuable addition from a free agent pitching class that lacks many established candidates.