The clock is ticking for Clay Holmes and the New York Mets. Within the next two weeks, the club will need to make a decision; either trade, extend, or retain him. Let’s take a further look as we near Major League Baseball’s trade deadline.
The Clock Is Ticking on the Mets’ Clay Holmes Decision
The Trade Route
At the time Holmes was still healthy, the Mets were far from certain on what direction they would go come trade season. But ever since the right-hander took a comebacker to the leg two months ago — up until now — the Mets are viewed as clear-cut sellers in this year’s upcoming MLB trade deadline.
Holmes, prior to suffering a fracture in his right fibula, had been among the top pitchers in baseball, pitching 52 2/3 innings with an impressive 2.39 ERA in nine starts. With the exception of his early exit in his latest start, he had managed to throw at least five innings in each of his starts. He had quietly become the Mets’ ace, overtaking Freddy Peralta who was the unofficial ace heading into the season.
On Saturday, the Mets’ starter had been scheduled to throw his first rehab start in High-A Brooklyn. But much to the dismay of multiple scouts around the league who had been sent to Maimonides Park, the weather had other plans. As a result, the game had been postponed. He did still manage to throw somewhere around 45 pitches in a bullpen session away from the eyes of scouts.
In four-to-five days, Holmes is set to make his first rehab start, barring inclement weather or any other postponement reasons for that matter. If all goes right, the plan after that is for his return to the Mets rotation — or another team — in another four-to-five days.
And while pitching — especially starting pitching — is a premium in the league, Holmes’ value took a hit just like his leg did in May. The Mets will sell, but it remains to be seen how far they are willing to go.
The Extension Route
Teams interested in the right-handed pitcher around the league view him as a rental. In his contract he signed with New York back in 2025 — a three-year, $38 million pact — there is an opt-out following the second year of the deal if he wishes to do so.
His contract status could drive up his value for contenders desperate for pitching, but the possibility of an opt-out could also cause some clubs to hesitate. So maybe extending the righty would be a better option for the Mets. But is an extension even on the table?
According to a source, both sides are expected to begin talks on a potential extension over the next couple of days. Holmes has publicly stated his openness to the possibility of one, though it is not yet known whether the Mets are mutual in that regard.
It would be logical for the Mets to seek an extension. Since signing with the club, he has been a very serviceable starter. He gets bonus points as well for being a reliever-turned-starter. Over the past two seasons, he owns a 3.26 ERA in 218 1/3 innings across 42 appearances (40 starts). The belief, however, according to another source, is that if the Mets aren’t successful in extending him, the club will attempt to trade the pitcher before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
The Retain Route
If all the above fails, the Mets could just keep him, and quite honestly, that may not be the worst-case scenario — neither of these are. We would only know until after the season if Holmes exercises his opt-out or not.
For now, let’s assume he doesn’t opt-out. The Mets would retain a top pitcher in the league for 2027, and could build a top rotation with Holmes and Nolan McLean as a baseline.
As of now, this is perhaps one of the most intriguing developments of this year’s trade deadline. It remains to be seen just how far teams are willing to pay for a starter who hasn’t appeared in a game since May. Though all told, he will be a target for many contenders and has as good a chance to be dealt as anyone else.
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