{"id":97091,"date":"2025-03-09T22:47:25","date_gmt":"2025-03-10T02:47:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=97091"},"modified":"2025-03-09T22:49:17","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T02:49:17","slug":"ex-yankees-closer-embracing-new-role","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2025\/03\/09\/ex-yankees-closer-embracing-new-role\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Yankees Bullpen Star Embraces New Chapter During Spring Training"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spring training 2025 so far has revealed much about the team’s personnel. The New York Yankees have run into some roadblocks about injury. Meanwhile, there are teams benefiting from former Yankees discards. Clay Holmes<\/a> is one of those players.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Holmes had strong potential in the positions that he was put in, in the Bronx.\u00a0 As we know, when things are good in the Bronx, it\u2019s a bright day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When things are rocky, the days are dark. Holmes had seen both, and so did the club. The Yankees acquired Holmes in a trade in 2021. His repertoire quickly gained attention, and the club tested the waters in the closer role.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In three and a half seasons wearing the Yankee pinstripes, Holmes recorded two all-star seasons and became the trusted arm in the ninth-inning showdown. The right-handed closer put up decent stats and effective notes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He saved 30 games with a 3.14 ERA and was an all-star. The stat that the Yankees paid attention to was the 13 league-leading blown saves, which colored outside of the lines of trust for the Yankees.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After testing Luke Weaver in the closer role during the postseason, the Yankees allowed Holmes to sail into free agency post-World Series. <\/span><\/p>\n

The New York Mets saw extreme potential in Holmes and invested;<\/a> now the tables seem to be turning for the former closer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Holmes’s Role in Queens Will Appear New and Refreshing for Both Parties<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The Yankees didn\u2019t think twice when letting Holmes walk into free agency. Brian Cashman and his crew saw enough but did not see what they wanted out of Holmes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The short-leash approach kept cash free for the Yankees to sign an established closer. However, the team on the other side of the city found valuable use for the right-hander.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Mets signed the right-handed pitcher for three years, 38 million dollars, with a base salary of $13 million. Steve Cohen<\/a> and his baseball operations team did their homework and recognized that Holmes\u2019 pitch profile brings more value than just a shaky closer situation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes, Holmes became a liability in high-pressure situations and was deemed untrustworthy. His consistency diminished, and one inning of make-or-break work was no longer the key to his success.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Holmes\u2019 stint in a short relief role in the 2024 postseason was a display of what he could be. The Mets took a leap of faith and decided to run with this, making it work in their favor. Holmes is competing for a look as a starting pitcher.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n