Clay Holmes last started a major league game at the end of the 2018 season, his rookie year with the Pirates.
Since then, the right-hander has moved to the bullpen and was traded to the Yankees, where he became a two-time All-Star in the Bronx.
However, when he first became a free agent, Holmes had a different goal in mind. That's how Holmes signed a three-year, $38 million contract to move across town to the Mets as a starting pitcher.
Holmes, who has relied on his excellent slider as a reliever after experimenting with a changeup and four-seamer in the bullpen during last season, said the desire to return to the starting lineup “was always there.”
“At the beginning of the offseason, we met with several interested teams and that opened the door to more serious discussions,” Holmes said. “I didn’t want to look back at the end of my career and say, ‘Well, what happened after that?’ Deep down, I had a passion for it.”
For a Mets team in need of a starter, his opportunity will come in Queens.
Holmes' sinker usage has decreased in each of the last three seasons with the Yankees, from a career-high 80.1 percent in 2022 to 56.3 percent last season.
He struggled for parts of the second half and was usurped as the closer by Holmes, but he ended up in a much different position with the Mets, playing under former Yankees bench coaches Carlos Mendoza and Juan Soto. will be standing. His former teammate from the Bronx.
“I got to see his ability for a year, and it was incredible,” Holmes said of Soto. “Deep down, I can't lie, I made the decision because I thought this was the best place, but I hope I can do it.'' [I thought] Perhaps Juan sees this and decides that the water is okay, so he heads over. ”
Holmes and the Mets got their wish, but they'll need more than Soto to get where they want to go.
There are plenty of question marks in the rotation, but Kodai Chiga will be supported by newly signed Frankie Montas, as well as Tyler Megill, David Peterson, and possibly Paul Blackburn.
So the Mets took a risk on Holmes, who turns 32 in March but has never pitched more than 70 innings in a major league season.
However, Holmes does not expect strict limits.
Instead of an innings limit, the Mets will monitor a pitcher's strength, mobility and other factors.
“It's hard to put arbitrary numbers on things,” Holmes said. “My goal is to pitch 160 innings. I want to pitch as many innings as possible. I want to do it safely. … I don't want to put a lid on it.”
He will also work with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and new assistant pitching coach Desi Dorschel, who also came over from the Yankees this offseason. Holmes praised Draschel's ability to handle a pitcher's workload.
The real test will be how Holmes handles going through the lineup over and over again.
That's why his repertoire will have to change.
Other former relief pitchers have also become starters in recent years, including Seth Lugo, Reynaldo Lopez and Garrett Crochet.
Holmes said he has been working out with Crochet, who was just traded to Boston from the White Sox this offseason.
And Holmes pointed out that even though they're throwing a wider variety of pitches, most pitches are still the best pitches thrown most often.
“The challenge for me is to keep it simple,” Holmes said. “The development of my sinker has been going on day and night since I last started, so it's even more likely. I can't forget that. My sinker is my best pitch, and if it's , and can be trusted in a variety of situations.”
The Mets are counting on Holmes more than ever.
