Veteran reliever Clay Holmes is heading to Queens. According to the New York Post, the right-hander has agreed to a three-year, $38 million deal with the New York Mets. While the team has yet to make the move official, it’s already making waves in the baseball world.
Holmes, who turns 32 just before Opening Day, delivered a solid performance last season with the Yankees. In 63 innings, he posted a 3.14 ERA (131 ERA+) and a 3.02 FIP, striking out 68 while issuing 21 unintentional walks. Despite losing his closer role during the season, Holmes still notched a career-high 30 saves for the eventual American League champions.
But here’s the curveball: the Mets reportedly plan to try Holmes as a starting pitcher in 2024. While he hasn’t started a big-league game since 2018, Holmes began his professional career as a starter. With several relievers—like Seth Lugo, Michael King, and Reynaldo López—successfully transitioning to the rotation in recent years, the Mets seem optimistic about his potential in this new role. Holmes will join a reshaped rotation that includes Kodai Senga, newly signed Frankie Montas, Paul Blackburn, and possibly David Peterson or Tylor Megill.
Holmes was ranked as the No. 23 free agent in CBS Sports’ offseason rankings. Here’s a snippet of their assessment:
“Holmes had an impressive run with the Yankees, boasting a 155 ERA+, a 3.45 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and 74 saves over three seasons. While his 2023 campaign was marred by 13 blown saves in 43 chances, Holmes demonstrated adaptability by tweaking his pitch mix—shifting from a slider to a sweeper and leaning heavily on his signature sinker. His track record and underlying metrics should make him a coveted arm, even if his closing reliability wavered.”
A two-time All-Star, Holmes has a career ERA+ of 113 over seven MLB seasons. Out of 311 appearances, 307 have come in relief, making his potential shift to the rotation a fascinating storyline to watch.
Source: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/...could-ex-closer-be-part-of-starting-rotation/
Will Holmes thrive as a starter, or will he find himself back in a high-leverage bullpen role? Either way, the Mets are betting on his versatility and experience to strengthen their pitching staff in 2024.
Holmes, who turns 32 just before Opening Day, delivered a solid performance last season with the Yankees. In 63 innings, he posted a 3.14 ERA (131 ERA+) and a 3.02 FIP, striking out 68 while issuing 21 unintentional walks. Despite losing his closer role during the season, Holmes still notched a career-high 30 saves for the eventual American League champions.
But here’s the curveball: the Mets reportedly plan to try Holmes as a starting pitcher in 2024. While he hasn’t started a big-league game since 2018, Holmes began his professional career as a starter. With several relievers—like Seth Lugo, Michael King, and Reynaldo López—successfully transitioning to the rotation in recent years, the Mets seem optimistic about his potential in this new role. Holmes will join a reshaped rotation that includes Kodai Senga, newly signed Frankie Montas, Paul Blackburn, and possibly David Peterson or Tylor Megill.
Holmes was ranked as the No. 23 free agent in CBS Sports’ offseason rankings. Here’s a snippet of their assessment:
“Holmes had an impressive run with the Yankees, boasting a 155 ERA+, a 3.45 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and 74 saves over three seasons. While his 2023 campaign was marred by 13 blown saves in 43 chances, Holmes demonstrated adaptability by tweaking his pitch mix—shifting from a slider to a sweeper and leaning heavily on his signature sinker. His track record and underlying metrics should make him a coveted arm, even if his closing reliability wavered.”
A two-time All-Star, Holmes has a career ERA+ of 113 over seven MLB seasons. Out of 311 appearances, 307 have come in relief, making his potential shift to the rotation a fascinating storyline to watch.
Source: https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/...could-ex-closer-be-part-of-starting-rotation/
Will Holmes thrive as a starter, or will he find himself back in a high-leverage bullpen role? Either way, the Mets are betting on his versatility and experience to strengthen their pitching staff in 2024.