Despite being 20 games over .500, the Yankees’ recent struggles exposed major roster flaws. This includes their closer, Clay Holmes.
Should The Yankees Move On From Clay Holmes?
Holmes, a 2024 All-Star, has shown flashes of brilliance during his tenure in pinstripes. After being traded to New York from the Pirates in 2021, the 31-year-old quickly became an elite reliever. With the Yankees that year, he accumulated 28.0 innings with a 1.61 ERA and 34 strikeouts. He also pitched to an ERA+ of 270.
In 2022 and 2023, the righty showed more of the same, racking up 44 saves in 52 opportunities. This season, however, he has not shown the same consistency that earned him the closer role. Holmes has eight blown saves so far this season, which matches his combined total from 2022 to 2023.
Things are starting to get out of hand. Despite his modest 2.80 ERA, Holmes has been one of New York’s most inconsistent players, proven by his leading MLB in blown saves. Additionally, his pending free agency makes things murkier. Should the Yankees opt to replace Holmes this season or next season, or do they commit to him long-term?
The Case To Keep Holmes
Looking at statistics alone, Holmes ranks among baseball’s best relievers in terms of ERA, ground-ball percentage, and breaking pitches. But even though those statistics don’t necessarily translate to success, he does have the tools necessary to be a great reliever (as he proved in his first few years in New York).
Another valuable asset of Holmes is that the long ball does not often plague him. Even this season, arguably his worst as a Yankee, he has only allowed two homers (0.4 HR/9). Not only has he cut down on home runs, but he’s also been adept at not giving away too many free passes. His 2.4 BB/9 in 2024 is the lowest in his career thus far.
While Holmes has had his share of issues, he has also shown that he is capable of being one of the better closers in baseball.
The Case To Move On
Though Holmes has a lot going for him, he has just as much to be worried about. His 1.33 WHIP is exceedingly high and is not an outlier from his past seasons. Because he does not allow many walks, this number is strictly high due to hits. This season, he has allowed 48 hits in 45.0 innings, which is startling.
As good as his breaking ball is, his fastball is not at the same level. Most of his hits allowed have come off his sinker, which has been average at best this year. A pitcher can’t rely on his secondary pitches to get outs, no matter how effective they are.
But as much as stats do matter, there is also the X-factor. Holmes just does not look like a dominant closer; many of his saves have been close calls, and at times, he looks uncomfortable on the mound. The Yankees, or any team, don’t want a streaky closer going into close games in October.
Options For The Yankees
Though New York did not pursue a big-time reliever at the trade deadline, they did acquire Mark Leiter Jr. and Enyel De Los Santos from the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres, respectively. While they provide bullpen depth, if the Yankees wanted to make a change at closer this season, it had to have been at the deadline.
Unless things rapidly worsen, Holmes will be the closer for the remainder of the season. In terms of the future, though, his status is uncertain. The Yankees’ front office has made it clear that there will be big-time cuts this upcoming offseason. Even if they do wish to resign Holmes, the Yankees may be willing to give him up in favor of using that money on Juan Soto. Additionally, the Yanks may refrain from spending top-tier money on a guy that has not earned lockdown-closer money.
Regardless, this decision lies on what happens for the rest of the season. If Holmes gets back on track and proves he can still be reliable in save situations, he may remain in the Bronx for the foreseeable future. But if things don’t change and the Yankees fall short in the postseason, it may be time for the Yankees to find another option for closing out games.
Main Photo Credits: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
