NY Mets trade destination for Clay Holmes feels like it could become something larger

Bleacher Report’s list of the most likely trades for each MLB team offered no surprises for the New York Mets. Their suggestion was for Jeff McNeil to get dealt. It’s an annual event Mets fans have come to expect. Whether he had a good, bad, or indifferent season, the idea of selling him seems to appear every offseason.

Reading through the whole story, McNeil wasn’t the only Mets player mentioned. Clay Holmes was tabbed as a trade candidate for the Athletics, city pending. Notably, the suggestion came as a result of the difficulty Athletics pitchers had at keeping the ball in the yard in Sacramento. It’s a likely issue to continue when they head to Las Vegas (eventually).

Holmes, with a career home run rate of 0.6 per 9 and 0.8 per 9 last year with the Mets, was a suggested fix for making 15 or so starts at the ballpark in 2025. On a $13 million deal for next season and player option for $12 million the following year, he’s not outrageously priced for the typically frugal Athletics. It could make sense for the Mets to deal him if they add to their rotation in other ways. Exactly what the Mets could want back is a bit more questionable, but it feels like the start of something possibly bigger.

Maybe it’s the Athletics who could provide the Mets with a bat they desire

Holmes straight up for any of the Athletics hitters doesn’t seem reasonable for a couple of reasons. Many of the Athletics position players are young, affordable, and controllable. Holmes makes them competitive next year and maybe in 2027 as well.

It was previously suggested by Tim Britton of The Athletic for the Mets to look at a possible trade of Tyler Soderstrom to replace Pete Alonso if a goal of theirs is to lower the payroll. An exceptional defender in left field last year after moving from first base for Nick Kurtz, this would be the kind of start to a trade to make.

Not many Athletics players are making significant money. Brent Rooker, with $8 million owed to him next year, is their highest paid hitter. He is signed through 2029 with a vesting option for 2030. He turns 31 on November 1, making him a bit of an outlier in their lineup of younger players. A poor defender in the two corner outfield positions and becoming increasingly more of a DH-exclusive player, the Mets would be a bit hamstrung by adding him to their roster, especially if they foresee Brandon Nimmo and Juan Soto spending more time in a DH role.

Holmes wouldn’t yield any incredible prospects, but that might be what this kind of deal ultimately evolves into if the Athletics aren’t interested in parting with any major league players. New York is only trading Holmes if they improve the rotation with someone else, maybe even two different players. They pull the plug on Holmes after one year, too, if it means something they value comes back. He’s far from a needed salary dump.

Holmes and another player or prospect for a young bat might be a reasonable trade if this is actually something to ever go beyond the pages of fans talking hot stove.