The New York Mets are facing the prospect of losing more than half of their starting pitching rotation this winter. While the team has been linked to top-tier free agent pitchers, they may not need to break the bank for multiple high-priced arms. Instead, they could follow a more cost-effective approach similar to last offseason, when they signed Sean Manaea and Luis Severino.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post recently suggested an intriguing option for the Mets: instead of chasing elite starters, they might look to acquire New York Yankees closer Clay Holmes and give him a shot as a starter.
Sherman explained that teams are interested in Holmes for his potential as a starting pitcher due to his ability to throw a variety of pitches, including two fastballs (four-seamer and sinker), two breaking balls (slider and sweeper), and the potential to develop a changeup.
His sinker is considered a dominant pitch, and his durability as a reliever adds to his appeal. For the Mets, Holmes could follow a similar path to former teammate Michael King, transitioning into a starting role. If that doesn’t work out, however, the Mets would still benefit from Holmes’ ability to serve as a high-leverage reliever and potential setup man for Edwin Diaz.
This move would be a low-risk, high-reward proposition for the Mets, as long as they don’t overpay him as a starter. Spotrac projects Holmes to sign a four-year, $54 million deal, which would be a reasonable investment. If Holmes struggles as a starter, he can easily return to the bullpen, where he has already proven himself as a reliable arm in high-pressure situations. This flexibility makes Holmes an attractive option for the Mets as they look to reshape their pitching staff for the 2025 season.
