In other MLB news, the New York Mets are reportedly considering a bold move involving Yankees reliever Clay Holmes. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, multiple teams, including the Mets, are exploring the possibility of transitioning Holmes from a bullpen role to the starting rotation.
This trend has gained traction in recent years, with several relievers successfully making the switch to starting, including Seth Lugo, Michael King, Reynaldo Lopez, and Zack Littell.
“A few teams are inquiring about Clay Holmes transitioning from the bullpen to the rotation, including the New York Mets,” claimed The Post’s Joel Sherman.
Holmes, a two-time All-Star reliever, has established himself as one of the league’s most reliable late-inning arms. In 2024, he recorded 30 saves across 67 appearances with a 3.14 ERA and 68 strikeouts over 63 innings. Teams interested in converting Holmes into a starter cite his diverse pitch arsenal—a mix of a four-seam fastball, elite sinker, slider, and sweeper—with the potential to develop a changeup.
Reliever-to-Starter Success Stories Fuel Interest
The transformation of elite relievers into successful starting pitchers has emerged as baseball’s latest strategic innovation, and teams are eyeing New York Yankees’ Clay Holmes as their next conversion project. This growing trend follows the remarkable success stories of several prominent relievers who have made the switch to starting roles.
The blueprint for such transitions has been validated by recent achievements across the league. Seth Lugo‘s impressive performance with the Padres earned him a third-place finish in the American League Cy Young voting and a lucrative three-year, $45 million contract with the Kansas City Royals. Similarly, Michael King and Reynaldo Lopez demonstrated the potential of such conversions, finishing seventh and eleventh respectively in National League Cy Young voting.
Holmes’ arsenal particularly intrigues teams considering him for a starting role. The two-time All-Star reliever possesses a diverse pitch mix that includes four established offerings: a four-seam fastball, an elite sinker, a slider, and a sweeper. Baseball evaluators believe Holmes could further expand his repertoire by developing a changeup, making him an even more compelling candidate for the rotation.
The Yankees’ closer has proven his durability over recent seasons, ranking eighth in total appearances across the majors over the past four years. His workload includes 19 postseason appearances, with 13 coming during the Yankees’ 2024 playoff run alone. This demonstrated stamina strengthens the case for his potential transition to a starting role.
Recent success stories have emboldened teams to pursue similar conversions. The Tampa Bay Rays’ successful transformation of Zack Littell back into a starter has become another reference point for teams considering such moves. The industry-wide interest in these transitions extends beyond Holmes, as multiple teams are also exploring the possibility of converting 2024 All-Star reliever Jeff Hoffman back to a starting role following his breakthrough season with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Holmes’ track record as a starter in the minor leagues adds another layer of intrigue to his potential conversion. His 2024 season demonstrated his continued effectiveness out of the bullpen, as he recorded 30 saves while maintaining a 3.14 ERA and striking out 68 batters across 63 innings.
As teams continue to seek creative solutions for strengthening their rotations, the successful transitions of relievers like Lugo, King, and López have established a compelling precedent. Holmes’ combination of diverse pitch mix, proven durability, and previous starting experience makes him an attractive candidate to follow in their footsteps, potentially marking the next chapter in baseball’s evolving approach to pitcher usage.
Holmes’ sinker, considered one of the most dominant pitchers in the league, is a key reason teams see potential in him as a starter. Additionally, his durability is a selling point. Over the past four seasons, he has appeared in more games than nearly any other reliever in the league while also excelling in high-pressure postseason situations.
Mets weighing Clay Holmes option
For the Mets, the decision to pursue Holmes aligns with their offseason strategy of seeking creative solutions for their pitching staff. With a focus on maintaining financial flexibility for a potential pursuit of superstar outfielder Juan Soto, the Mets are reportedly looking to avoid the high-end starting pitcher market. Converting Holmes to a starter offers the potential for a high-upside addition to their rotation at a fraction of the cost.
If the experiment doesn’t pan out, Holmes’ track record as a reliable late-inning reliever provides a solid fallback option. The Mets are in need of bullpen depth, particularly someone capable of serving as a setup man for closer Edwin Díaz. Holmes’ ability to fill multiple roles makes him an attractive target.
The Mets’ potential gamble on Holmes highlights the evolving strategies of MLB teams as they look to maximize value in an increasingly competitive landscape. While Holmes’ versatility could provide the Mets with a much-needed boost on the mound, his potential transformation into a starter in the 2025 MLB season promises to be full of intriguing storylines and surprises.
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