3 wild NY Mets roster changes we shouldn’t expect but can be justified

2) The Mets move Clay Holmes to the closer role and invest in starting pitching

It’s kind of like admitting some sense of defeat if the Mets were to do this. They signed Clay Holmes to be a starting pitcher. While the season was a tame rollercoaster at times, Holmes managed to put together a satisfying year one with the Mets. Moving him to the closer role feels more like a backup plan if Diaz’s contract demands just don’t match what they’re trying to do in other places.

Of course, moving Holmes to the closer role has greater fallout. The Mets would then need to invest in more starting pitching. They’d have to assure fans by adding both a true ace and another quality arm to the staff; maybe the second one being more at the level Stearns tends to enjoy taking a chance on.

Either way, the Mets can’t justify putting together a roster full of Plan-Bs. A dramatic Holmes pivot is done for two reasons. One is you aren’t confident in his ability as a starting pitcher. Another is you plan to unload on fortifying your starting rotation in the most remarkable way.

Despite a pitching coach change, Holmes feels bound to begin the year in the rotation. Whether or not Diaz is with the club will have to wait. Holmes seems more like an emergency plan for the bullpen rather than an option to use from the start.