Rangers sign Holland to five-year deal

Mar 20, 2012 - 6:47 PM Surprise, AZ (Sports Network) - The Texas Rangers have signed pitcher Derek Holland to a five-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal includes club options for 2017 and 2018.

Holland, who had agreed to a one-year deal last month, was 16-5 with a 3.95 earned run average in 32 starts last season. He won 10 of his last 11 decisions, then added a pair of victories in the postseason as the Rangers won a second straight American League pennant.

"It's all about being in Texas, wearing the Texas uniform and winning championships," said Holland at a Tuesday press conference. "I just want to be a good role model. When I was coming up, I had guys like C.J. Wilson and Michael Young to look up to. Now it's my turn. I want to be that guy."

The 25-year-old lefty tied for the American League lead with four shutouts in 2011. He owns a career mark of 27-22 with a 4.73 ERA in 79 games, including 63 starts, over his three-year career.