Grading every major league NY Mets player addition this offseason

RHP Clay Holmes

The Mets signed Clay Holmes to a three-year contract worth $38 million after spending parts of the previous four seasons with the New York Yankees. Holmes became the Yankees' closer in 2022 and pitched to a 2.85 ERA, 2.84 FIP, and 1.17 WHIP as their 9th-inning guy. He struck out just over a quarter of opponents with a 25.7% K%, with a respectable 8.2% walk rate. However, his massive 68.6% ground ball rate is the highest across the last three seasons by a fair margin, and this helped him put up a 0.38 HR/9 ratio. But the Mets didn't sign Holmes to close games out, but instead start them. He's pitched so well in spring training as a starter that he's already gotten the Opening Day nod. The worst-case scenario for this contract is for the Mets to turn him back into a quality high-leverage reliever, while the best-case scenario is for him to become a quality starting pitcher.

Final grade: A-

LHP Sean Manaea

Sean Manaea was a key part of the Mets' 2024 roster. Not only was he quite effective with a 3.47 ERA, 3.83 FIP, and 1.08 WHIP, but he was also very reliable. He made 32 starts and pitched 181.2 innings. Both were career-bests. Last season, there were only 13 pitchers that threw at least 180 innings in 30+ starts and had a 110+ ERA+ (Manaea clocked in at 114). This strong season earned Manaea a three-year contract worth $75 million, which could be a bargain if he can continue to pitch anything like he did in 2024.

Final grade: A-

RHP Frankie Montas

Frankie Montas missed most of 2023 but was healthy enough to pitch 150.2 innings for the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. However, he didn't pitch particularly well. Montas only had a 4.84 ERA, 4.71 FIP, and 1.37 WHIP. His 22.8% strikeout rate was about league average, but he walked 10.1% of opponents and allowed home runs at a 1.43-per-9 ratio. The Mets signed Montas to a two-year contract worth $34 million, but the Mets might already be having some buyer's remorse. Montas will be opening the year on the injured list but should be back in action around late April or early May.

Final grade: C-

RHP Griffin Canning

The Mets signed Griffin Canning to a one-year contract worth $4.25 million. The former LA Angels right-hander is coming off the worst non-injury shortened year of his career, with just a 5.19 ERA. 5.26 FIP, and 1.40 WHIP across 171.2 innings of work. Canning followed up a career-high K% of 25.9% with a career-low rate of 17.6%. He's always been prone to home runs, but his 1.63 HR/9 was another career-worst mark. Canning's 8.9% walk rate was another below average notch on his season. But his 2023 season was not bad, and he's still only 28. The Mets are taking on very little risk for someone who could still have some upside.

Final grade: C+