Another potential starting pitcher is added to the free agent market.
Sources told the Post that several teams, including the Mets, have inquired about moving Clay Holmes from the bullpen to the rotation.
Holmes hasn't started since 2018, his debut season with the Pirates. However, he was a starter throughout his minor league tenure.
With recent success in this area, teams are more willing to consider adding relievers back into the rotation. Kansas City's Seth Lugo just finished third in the AL Cy Young Award. San Diego's Michael King finished seventh and Reynaldo Lopez finished 11th in the National League Cy Young Award. Zach Littell has been a successful rotation player since the Rays brought him back as a starter in 2023.
Last offseason, during free agency, the Giants signed Jordan Hicks to a four-year, $44 million contract to transition into the rotation, the Braves signed Lopez to a three-year, $30 million contract, and King was signed by the Yankees' Juan Soto. It became an important element of the trade with. . Lugo signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Royals after making a smooth transition to starting for the Padres in 2023.
Teams are also considering returning free agent Jeff Hoffman, who made the All-Star team as a Phillies reliever in 2024, to the starting lineup. Holmes also became an All-Star for the second time this year as a reliever.
Teams view Holmes as a potential rotation player because of his ability to throw two fastballs (four-seamer and sinker), two breaking balls (slider and sweeper), and his aptitude to develop a changeup. be. Sinkers are considered dominant pitches. Additionally, Holmes has a track record of durability as a relief pitcher. The right-hander has appeared in the eighth-most games in the majors over the past four seasons combined, and has played in 19 more postseason games, including a relief role in 13 of the Yankees' 14 postseason games in 2024. He is participating in the event.
The Mets appear to be moving away from the high-end rotation market, currently led by Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, and trying to replicate the success they had with last year's short-term deals with Sean Manaea and Luis Severino. To that end, they signed Frankie Montas to a two-year, $34 million contract. Holmes would fall into the area of needing just a two- or three-year deal.
For the Mets, Holmes could try to replace King, his former Yankees teammate, and provide the Mets with a rotational answer. And if that fails, the Mets need a reliever, especially someone who can provide both setup and potentially a safety net for Edwin Diaz. Holmes has a strong market because he can do that with his pen.
Holmes, who turns 32 in March, lost his closer job with the Yankees in 2024 despite recording batting saves (13) in the majors. But his overall work since being traded from the Pirates has been outstanding, including a 1.35 ERA in 19 postseason games, 17 of which were scoreless.
