With their newest addition to a new-look rotation, the New York Mets are getting inventive.
The Mets and right-hander Clay Holmes have agreed to a three-year contract price $38 million, league sources confirmed to The Athletic. Holmes’ settlement with Mets, per league sources, breaks down as follows: $13 million in yr one, $13 million in yr two and $12 million in yr three (he has an opt-out after the second yr). The New York Post first reported the deal.
The Mets plan to make use of Holmes, the previous New York Yankees nearer, as a beginning pitcher.
If Holmes doesn’t pan out within the rotation, the fallback choice might be to have him work as a setup reliever to nearer Edwin Díaz.
But the Mets had indicated to Holmes throughout their assembly with him that they have been intrigued by his potential as a beginning pitcher.
Holmes, 31, final began a recreation in 2018. He started his profession as a starter within the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system. While he was in Triple A for the second straight yr in 2018, the Pirates began utilizing him in a hybrid function, together with his making begins and reduction appearances. He made 4 begins however had a 7.80 ERA within the function earlier than shifting full time to the bullpen.
Source confirms: Mets in settlement with free agent right-hander Clay Holmes on three-year, $38M contract, pending bodily. Opt out after second yr. Plan is to make him a starter. First: @Joelsherman1
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2024
Over his profession as a reliever, Holmes has a 3.52 ERA and is a two-time All-Star.
A handful of different groups past the Mets have been desirous about Holmes as a starter, league sources stated. Holmes’ three pitches (sinker, slider, sweeper) and his stuff led to a whole lot of groundballs. Holmes has thrown at the very least 60 innings in every of the previous 4 seasons however has by no means logged greater than 70, his whole in 2021.
The Mets’ familiarity with Holmes ought to assist. Mets supervisor Carlos Mendoza was beforehand the Yankees’ bench coach and his time overlapped with Holmes. Also, the Mets just lately employed Desi Druschel, previously on the Yankees’ teaching employees, to be their assistant pitching coach.
After signing Frankie Montas earlier this week, the Mets remained desirous about including a number of different beginning pitchers, membership sources stated.
Given the excessive costs for pitching to date available in the market, it’s unsurprising to see the Mets search for alternatives. The Mets are assured of their method to pitching growth beneath president of baseball operations David Stearns and pitching coach Jeremy Hefner.
Holmes will be a part of former relievers similar to Seth Lugo, Reynaldo López, Michael King and Jordan Hicks who’ve made the transition over the previous couple of years.
GO DEEPER
Frankie Montas takes inspiration from Mets’ pitching success tales
(Photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)
