NEW YORK — The texts started before any contract offer arrived. Before the Zoom meetings. Before Luke Weaver made the decision that would send shockwaves through the Yankees-Mets rivalry.
Clay Holmes was on the other end of those messages. The former Yankees closer turned Mets starter provided insight to his former bullpen mate. He answered questions about life in Queens. He shared what he liked about playing for the Mets.
Holmes spoke openly about his involvement at the Mets’ annual Kids Holiday Party at Citi Field on Thursday. He described exchanging texts with Weaver throughout the free agency process.
“We exchanged some texts,” Holmes said. “They had one of those Zoom meetings scheduled, and then he texted me saying that he verbally agreed. Things moved fast, but I think there was a lot that he really liked.”
"Luke's great. He's got some spunk to him, he's got some character. He's just got a good energy to him."
Holmes called Weaver a “special pitcher” with “some spunk” and “good energy.” The two shared the back of the Yankees bullpen during the 2024 season. They developed a close friendship in the Bronx before Holmes departed for Queens last December.
“I’m happy to have a friend here and happy how things worked out for him,” Holmes said.
Weaver becomes third ex-Yankees closer to join Mets
The pipeline from the Bronx to Queens keeps flowing. Weaver joins Holmes and Devin Williams as former Yankees closers now wearing Mets blue. All three handled ninth-inning duties for the Yankees at some point during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Williams signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Mets earlier this month. Holmes landed a three-year, $39 million contract last December that converted him into a starting pitcher. The Mets have essentially rebuilt the Yankees’ high-leverage bullpen across town.
Michael Kay of the YES Network noted the unusual pattern on his show.
“The Mets just keep collecting Yankees. And I don’t say that in a pejorative way. It’s a fact,” Kay said. “Soto is a Met. Devin Williams is a Met. Clay Holmes is a Met. And now Luke Weaver is a Met.”
What Weaver brings to Queens
Weaver transformed from journeyman starter to elite reliever with the Yankees. The 32-year-old posted a 3.21 ERA across 126 relief appearances over two full seasons in the Bronx. He saved a dozen games and racked up 43 holds.
His 2024 postseason performance cemented his reputation. Weaver earned four saves and a win during the Yankees’ World Series run. He posted a 1.76 ERA in 15.1 postseason innings. He became the first Yankee with multiple five-out saves in a postseason since Aroldis Chapman in 2017.
The 2025 season proved rockier. Weaver started hot with a 1.05 ERA through 24 appearances before a hamstring injury in early June derailed his campaign. He returned to a 5.31 ERA over his final 40 games. His struggles continued into the playoffs against Toronto.
“He’s a special pitcher,” Holmes said. “He’s got some spunk, got some character, and just really good energy to him. Luke has had a lot of success, so I’m happy to see him rewarded for it, and happy to play with him again.”
Holmes pitched for Yankees-to-Mets move
Holmes didn’t shy away from recruiting Weaver. He shared positive experiences about playing in Queens. The Mets converted Holmes from closer to starter. He responded with a 12-8 record and 3.53 ERA across 165.2 innings in his first full season as a rotation piece.
When asked what he would tell other players considering the crosstown move, Holmes offered a sales pitch.
“I think what they’re trying to do here is going to be pretty special,” Holmes said. “Obviously it’s a great place to play. I’ve enjoyed it, but I’m sure a lot of players out there, if they have any interest, there’s a lot of people that they can reach out to and I’m sure that’s happening.”
Yankees’ bullpen makeover raises questions
The Yankees traded for David Bednar at the deadline to close games. Camilo Doval provides high-leverage help. Both came with track records of 30-save seasons. The front office appears comfortable letting Weaver and Williams depart for the Mets.
Kay questioned whether the Mets’ strategy of collecting former Yankees made sense.
“Even Met fans would have to admit it’s an odd look, man,” Kay said. “You’re putting teams together with guys that the Yankees didn’t want anymore, except for Soto. Yankees didn’t want Clay Holmes back. They didn’t want Devin Williams back.”
For Weaver specifically, the Yankees calculation appeared straightforward. He lost the closer role in 2025. His numbers dipped after the hamstring injury. At $11 million per year, the front office let him walk.
Weaver slides into setup role in Queens
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Williams will handle ninth innings for the Mets. He replaces Edwin Diaz, who signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the Dodgers. Weaver becomes the bridge to Williams, essentially recreating the Yankees bullpen structure from early 2025.
Manager Carlos Mendoza gets two arms he watched dominate from the opposing dugout. The former Yankees bench coach spent 15 years in the Bronx before joining the Mets organization. He knows exactly what Weaver can provide.
Holmes will keep starting. Weaver will keep relieving. Williams will keep closing. All three will do it for the Mets instead of the Yankees.
The friendship that tipped the scales
Free agency involves money and roles and opportunities. It also involves comfort and familiarity. Holmes provided that for Weaver. The text messages gave insight no agent or general manager could offer.
“A lot of things he liked,” Holmes said of Weaver’s reaction to playing for the Mets. “Happy for him that things worked out.”
The Yankees-to-Mets pipeline now includes Juan Soto, Holmes, Williams, Weaver, and Mendoza. President of baseball operations David Stearns keeps raiding the Bronx roster. Whether that strategy wins championships remains the only question that matters.
For now, Holmes has his friend back as a teammate. Weaver has a $22 million payday. And the Yankees watch another former closer slip across town to their biggest rival.
