The Clay Holmes factor that can make him an even bigger NY Mets trade chip

The New York Mets and Clay Holmes have interest in sticking together. They also understand time is limited to get a new deal signed. Extension talks are underway, but that won’t stop the trade deadline from zooming up in just over two weeks on August 3.

Holmes holds a $12 million option for next year that is as good as dead. Following a season-long conversation in 2025 about moving him to the bullpen, he is now a top trade candidate.

The net on Holmes should be a wide one for that same, at times unwarranted, complaint of his in year one with the Mets. Holmes is a starting pitcher. In the playoffs, he might not be.

Clay Holmes makes sense for almost every MLB team looking to buy

Not only has Holmes put together a strong track record of pitching well in relief during the regular season, his postseason numbers are monstrous. Other than the 2024 ALCS versus the Cleveland Guardians, he hasn’t allowed a run. This isn’t coming from a small sample. Even if we did include those 2.2 frames, Holmes has tossed 20 innings in postseason relief and earned a 1.35 ERA.

What he hasn’t done is close out games. He has finished 3, but never earned a save. Seasoned under pressure in the toughest of times, could teams that aren't in desperate need for starting pitching actually consider him as an automatic bullpen piece once October rolls around?

Holmes wouldn’t be happy about a trade to a team that shoves him into the bullpen nor should we expect this to be the scenario. He could start games through the end of the regular season then shift to a relief role in the playoffs when three or four starters are the most anyone ever needs. Most, if not every, manager tends to operate with an “all hands on deck” approach in the playoffs with less defined roles. Holmes would be everything from a middle-of-the-game innings eater to someone who’d finish off the game with 4+ innings.

Holmes’ history pitching in relief won’t be anyone’s selling point. However, this proven ability makes him a possibility for maybe even clubs who don’t have the same urgency in the rotation as they do out of the bullpen. Creative thinkers like the Tampa Bay Rays, as well, feel like a match.

More than even Luke Weaver, the Mets are in a fascinating spot with Holmes. He’s an extension, trade, and qualifying offer candidate and you can only do one first.

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