The New York Mets made headlines by signing former Yankees closer Clay Holmes to a three-year, $38 million contract. The unexpected twist? The Mets plan to transform the two-time All-Star reliever into a starting pitcher, a move that has stirred both excitement and skepticism among fans and analysts alike.
Deal Breakdown: A High-Stakes Investment
Holmes, 31, secured a contract featuring $13 million in each of the first two seasons and $12 million in the final year, with an opt-out clause after the second season. The decision to shift him into the starting rotation signals the Mets’ intent to think outside the box amid an inflated pitching market.
Holmes last worked as a starting pitcher in 2018 during his time with the Pittsburgh Pirates, making the conversion a significant challenge. His career-high workload sits at just 70 innings pitched in a season, raising legitimate concerns about his durability over a full starter’s schedule.
Right-hander Clay Holmes and the New York Mets are in agreement on a three-year, $38 million contract with an opt-out after the second year, sources tell ESPN. Mets plan to turn Holmes, who has spent his big league career as a RP, into a starter. On the news: @Joelsherman1.
However, the Mets’ brass sees potential. Holmes’ signature sinker, devastating slider, and sweeping breaking ball make him a groundball-inducing machine—a skill set they believe could translate into starting success.
“If he can sustain his stuff over multiple innings, the upside is undeniable,” one Mets executive reportedly said. “We’re ready to take that chance.”
Familiar Faces and Fresh Starts
Holmes’ transition may be smoothed by the familiarity of working with Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, who previously served as the Yankees‘ bench coach. Additionally, Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and the team’s analytics department are expected to craft a tailored program to stretch Holmes into a starter’s role.
Yet, the Mets aren’t ruling out a fallback option. If the transition falters, Holmes could slide back into a high-leverage setup role for closer Edwin Díaz, creating one of the league’s most intimidating late-game duos.
Fan Reaction: Twitter Weighs In
As news of the deal broke, reactions across social media platforms were as passionate as expected, with fans from both sides of the New York baseball divide chiming in.
Yankees Fans: Skepticism and Sarcasm
Some Yankees fans dismissed the move as another example of the Mets picking up their discarded players.
“@yankeeschar” scoffed: “They’re never beating the Yankees sloppy seconds allegations.”
“@HoodieFrazier” added bluntly: “THERE GO THE METS DIVING INTO THE YANKEE SCRAP HEAP AGAIN.”
For many Yankees fans, Holmes’ late-season struggles in 2023 seemed to justify their skepticism, casting doubt on whether he could survive the demands of a starting rotation.
Mets Fans: Cautious Optimism
Mets supporters were more divided. Some welcomed the signing with open arms.
“@BadMoonRiisin” tweeted enthusiastically: “I like this. Anyone else agree?”
YouTube content creator @WardyNYM shared a celebratory video, calling the move “a bold but exciting gamble.”
Still, others were understandably wary of the experiment.
“@BrendanQ_1999” warned: “Keep your cardiologist on speed dial, Mets fans,” referencing the potential stress Holmes’ transition could cause during the upcoming season.
Polls conducted by popular baseball accounts like @CodifyBaseball asked followers how many starts Holmes would realistically make in 2025, reflecting the fanbase’s uncertainty.
Comparative Success Stories Offer Hope
MLB
While some remain unconvinced, Holmes’ path isn’t without precedent. MLB has seen successful reliever-to-starter conversions in recent seasons, including Michael King’s late-season surge as a starter for the Yankees and Seth Lugo’s respectable transition with the San Diego Padres. These cases may have inspired the Mets to take a similar leap of faith.
“Reinventing roles isn’t new, and the Mets have the infrastructure to make it work,” noted MLB analyst Mark DeRosa on MLB Network. “It’s a risk, but one with real potential for upside.”
What’s Next for the Mets?
By signing Holmes, the Mets have signaled that they are willing to take calculated risks rather than overpay in a sky-high pitching market. If Holmes can successfully transition into a reliable starter, the team will have secured a significant asset at a below-market price.
Conversely, if Holmes struggles in his new role, the Mets can revert him to a setup role, maintaining bullpen depth and firepower. Either way, this bold move reflects a front office unafraid to embrace unconventional solutions in its pursuit of postseason success.
Only time will reveal whether Holmes becomes a surprising success story or another curious footnote in the long history of players making the Bronx-to-Queens transition. For now, all eyes are on spring training, where the Clay Holmes experiment will officially begin.
