Veteran relief pitcher Clay Holmes has reached an agreement with the New York Mets for a three-year contract valued at $38 million, as reported by the New York Post. The team has yet to make an official announcement regarding the deal.
Holmes, who will celebrate his 32nd birthday just before the start of the season, had a standout performance last year with the Yankees, finishing the season with a 3.14 ERA (131 ERA+) and a 3.02 FIP over 63 innings. While he ultimately lost his position as the team’s closer, he did achieve a career-high 30 saves during the season. His performance included 68 strikeouts and just 21 walks.
The Mets plan to transition Holmes into a starting pitcher role for the upcoming season. Initially, he began his career as a starter and made four starts in the majors in 2018. Since then, he has primarily worked as a reliever. Recent examples show that several pitchers have successfully transitioned from relief to starting roles, such as former Mets setup man Seth Lugo, along with Reynaldo López and Michael King. Holmes will be joining a revamped Mets rotation that includes Kodai Senga, newly signed Frankie Montas, Paul Blackburn, and potentially David Peterson or Tylor Megill.
Earlier this offseason, CBS Sports ranked Holmes as the No. 23 free agent available, noting his successful tenure with the Yankees. Over three-plus seasons, he recorded impressive stats, including a 155 ERA+, a 3.45 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and 74 saves. Despite experiencing challenges in his final season, particularly with a conversion rate where he blew 13 of 43 save opportunities, Holmes made critical adjustments during the season. He shifted his pitch selection, reducing his slider usage and increasing his reliance on a sinker, which reflects his ability to adapt—a quality that many teams value highly.
Throughout his career, Holmes has maintained an overall ERA+ of 113 across seven major-league seasons, with 307 of his 311 games pitched being in relief positions. He has been recognized as a two-time All-Star.
This signing represents an exciting opportunity for both Holmes and the Mets, particularly as the team looks to bolster its pitching staff. Holmes’ transition back to starting could be a turning point in his career and may enhance the Mets’ competitiveness in the upcoming season. The combination of his experience and recent adjustments may lead to success in this new role.
Summary: Clay Holmes has agreed to a $38 million deal with the Mets, aiming to shift from relief pitching to a starting role after a solid run with the Yankees. His adaptability and strong performance may significantly strengthen the Mets’ rotation.