NY Mets are at risk of wasting a great season from one of their most criticized moves

Following yet another strong start against the Los Angeles Angels (in which he piloted the New York Mets to an all-too-rare series win), it's safe to say that Clay Holmes has been the best surprise of the season so far in Queens.

He's been exceptionally durable, averaging more than six innings per outing through his first seven starts. His 1.69 ERA leads the Mets' rotation, even if his 3.67 FIP is less optimistic about him carrying this ace-caliber performance forward.

This is a particularly important development consider how Holmes' first year as a starter went. He was reliable enough to make 31 starts, but his 3.53 ERA was betrayed by a 4.11 FIP, not to mention stark drop-offs in his signature skills (inducing ground balls and getting strikeouts). With questions persisting about his ability to turn over a lineup multiple times throughout a game, the calls for him to return to the bullpen were raucous.

Luckily, it appears he's found his groove as a starter. In what's quickly becoming a lost season in New York, Holmes' breakout is a story worth celebrating.

Clay Holmes might be pitching his way right off the scuffling Mets

Of course, because the Mets are mired in misery and saddled with the league's worst record, anyone performing well on their roster (who isn't attached to an albatross contract) is guaranteed to be subject to trade rumors.

Holmes is no different. His $13 million salary that once seemed onerous is nothing short of a bargain if he can keep pitching anywhere near this level, though that does probably eliminate the chance of him opting into his $12 million player option for 2027.

Nevertheless, rental starters are the most sought-after commodity on the market every single year around the trade deadline, as contenders look to solidify their rotations (or find injury replacements) prior to the stretch run. At 33 years old, he's a perfect short-term addition for any World Series hopeful.

Obviously, the preferred outcome is that Holmes keeps pitching his way into "Big 3" conversations with Freddy Peralta and Nolan McLean while the Mets find a way to keep this very expensive ship from crashing bow-first into an iceberg. Unfortunately, the hole this team has dug for itself will be rather difficult to climb out of, which means it will behoove the front office to listen on any veterans not under long-term control.

On the bright side, selling high on Holmes may be the best all-around decision the Mets can make. A lot of the underlying data suggests he's ripe for regression, which is the absolute last thing this roster can afford.

Wasting a breakout season of this magnitude is about as frustrating as it gets, but if this ship doesn't turn around in time, the Mets shouldn't compound it by holding onto a rental starter in a lost campaign.

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