In a bold offseason move, the New York Mets have signed two-time All-Star closer Clay Holmes to a three-year, $38 million contract – not to bolster their bullpen, but to convert him into a starting pitcher. The 31-year-old right-hander, who spent the last three and a half seasons as one of baseball’s most dominant relievers with the Yankees, is eager to embrace this new challenge and return to his roots as a starter.
From Bullpen Ace to Rotation Hopeful
Holmes, originally drafted as a starter out of high school in 2011, found success in the Yankees’ bullpen after being traded from the Pirates in 2021. He quickly established himself as a setup man before taking over as the club’s closer in 2022. Despite his excellence in relief, the idea of starting remained in the back of his mind.
“It was something that still, deep down, I had a passion for and excited me,” Holmes revealed during his introductory press conference with the Mets. He experimented with a four-seam fastball and changeup during bullpen sessions this season, pitches that could complement his elite sinker, slider, and sweeper in a starter’s arsenal.
The Mets’ Vision
The Mets, under the leadership of owner Steve Cohen and general manager David Stearns, saw potential in Holmes as a starter. They were drawn to his diverse pitch mix and believe he has the tools to succeed in the rotation. Holmes cited the Mets’ “leadership and vision” as a key factor in his decision to join the team.
There’s a lot of reasons why the Mets drew me in. For one, I think the leadership here. Starts with the Cohen family and David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza. I think just seeing their leadership and their belief is definitely something that was very appealing.
– Clay Holmes
The Transition Plan
Holmes will work closely with Mets assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel, who previously coached him with the Yankees, to navigate the transition. The process will begin with adjustments to his offseason training program, focusing on conditioning and building stamina. Holmes intends to throw at least 160 innings in 2025, a significant increase from his career-high of 136 ⅓ innings in 2016.
The Mets are taking a calculated risk with Holmes, but they believe his potential as a starter outweighs the uncertainty. They envision him joining a rotation that already features co-aces Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, along with newly signed Frankie Montas.
Betting on Himself
For Holmes, the decision to become a starter again is a bet on himself and his abilities. He knows the transition won’t be easy, but he’s inspired by the success stories of other relievers-turned-starters like Michael King and Reynaldo Lopez.
When you see guys make the transition, it’s definitely like, ‘Man, this is possible. This is cool.’ There’s kind of somewhat of a little road map. You see other guys do it. It’s not super common, but you don’t feel like you’re in uncharted water.
– Clay Holmes
The baseball world will be watching closely as Holmes embarks on this new chapter in his career. Can he successfully transition back to being a starter after years of bullpen dominance? The Mets are betting that he can, and Holmes is eager to prove them right. If he succeeds, it could be a game-changer for both the Mets’ rotation and Holmes’ legacy in the sport.
As spring training approaches, all eyes will be on Port St. Lucie, where Holmes will begin his journey from elite closer to hopeful starter. It’s a risk, but one that both the Mets and Holmes believe is worth taking. Only time will tell if this bold move pays off, but one thing is certain: Clay Holmes is ready to embrace the challenge and write the next chapter in his remarkable baseball story.
