Holmes’ revival elsewhere raises questions about Yankees’ choice

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The New York Yankees’ offseason decision to let Clay Holmes depart via free agency appeared logical at the time. The once-elite reliever had shown inconsistency throughout 2024, and with the Yankees restructuring their bullpen around marquee addition Devin Williams, Holmes seemed expendable. But barely a month into the 2025 campaign, that calculation looks increasingly questionable. The pitcher isn’t just thriving—he’s spectacularly reinvented himself across town.

The former Yankees closer is now making waves as a starting pitcher for the Mets, raising an uncomfortable question in the Bronx: Did the Yankees give up on Holmes too early?

From reliever to rotation standout

Holmes didn’t merely change teams—he completely transformed his baseball identity. The Mets, recognizing untapped possibilities, signed him to a three-year, $38 million contract with a bold vision: converting the career reliever into a starter. Seven years removed from his last professional start, Holmes has embraced this challenge with remarkable success.

Through five outings, Holmes has compiled an impressive 3.16 ERA alongside an even more eye-catching 2.13 FIP. His strikeout rate ranks among the top 10 starting pitchers in baseball. Perhaps most remarkably, he has yet to surrender a home run, with the Mets winning four of his five starts.

“This is what we thought he was going to be able to do,” Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said. “It’s kind of exactly what we thought might happen.”

Expanded arsenal fuels transformation

Holmes’ metamorphosis stems largely from a dramatically expanded pitching repertoire. During his Yankees tenure, he relied predominantly on a sinker/slider combination, particularly against left-handed hitters—a predictability that ultimately undermined his effectiveness.

In 2025, Holmes introduced three additional weapons—a changeup, four-seam fastball, and cutter—fundamentally altering his approach on the mound. Against lefties, these new offerings now comprise 58% of his pitches, representing a complete strategic overhaul. His changeup has emerged as particularly devastating, with opponents managing just 3 hits in 28 at-bats while striking out 16 times.

“It’s getting more depth than his sinker,” Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner said. “They’re anticipating that movement, and it’s just moving more than they’re anticipating.”

His four-seam fastball has similarly confounded hitters, ranking among baseball’s most effective on a rate basis. The pitch has yet to yield a hit while generating above-average swing-and-miss numbers, largely due to the precise location along the strike zone’s periphery.

Yankees bullpen struggles amplify questions

As Holmes establishes himself in Queens, the Yankees’ bullpen has encountered significant turbulence. Williams, acquired to stabilize the closer role, has struggled dramatically with an ERA exceeding 11.00. These struggles forced the Yankees to pivot to Luke Weaver—primarily a long reliever—for ninth-inning duties. The once-formidable relief corps has shown unexpected vulnerability, making Holmes’ success particularly frustrating for the Yankees faithful.

Holmes wasn’t a marginal contributor during his Yankees tenure. At his peak between 2021 and 2023, he posted a 2.63 ERA with 44 saves, frequently excelling in high-leverage situations. His 2024 regression, complicated by injuries and mechanical inconsistencies, pushed the Yankees toward alternative options.

The organization seemingly underestimated Holmes’ adaptability. His willingness to reinvent himself, coupled with the Mets’ developmental vision, has produced one of baseball’s most compelling early-season narratives.

Questions of sustainability

The primary question surrounding Holmes concerns longevity. Can he maintain this performance throughout a full season? Recent examples of relievers-turned-starters offer contrasting outcomes. Jordan Hicks faded considerably after a promising start last year, while Reynaldo Lopez sustained his excellence throughout the season.

“With Clay and this transition, so much of it is: How is this going to progress over the course of the season?” Stearns said. “We knew the stuff could play. Now it’s about consistency and durability.”

Holmes has approached this challenge methodically, implementing a six-day preparation routine designed for sustained performance. His analytical approach to pitch effectiveness and game planning has impressed the Mets’ coaching staff.

Holmes acknowledged that pitchers won’t always feel their best when taking the mound, emphasizing that his primary goal is simply giving his team an opportunity to win each time he starts.

Yankees’ reasoning vs. current reality

The Yankees’ decision regarding Holmes wasn’t without rational justification. His late 2024 inconsistency, combined with the organization’s desire for bullpen restructuring, guided their choice. Nevertheless, watching him excel elsewhere inevitably raises questions about their talent evaluation process.

Aaron Boone, who previously praised Holmes for his resilience in difficult outings, now observes from afar as his former reliever dominates for a crosstown rival. While the Yankees’ bullpen maintains considerable depth, it lacks the stability Holmes currently provides the Mets.

Alternative Yankees path?

Could Holmes have achieved similar success had he remained in pinstripes? The question is complex. The Yankees rarely convert established relievers to starting roles, particularly at his’ career stage. The Mets embraced this calculated risk, and early returns suggest brilliance. Given the Yankees’ current bullpen challenges, Holmes’ resurgence likely compounds frustration within the organization.

Jeremy Hefner encapsulated Holmes’ potential: “If he does what he’s doing right now for the rest of the year, I think everyone would be ecstatic. But I definitely don’t want to sell him short and say he can’t be an All-Star or can’t be a Cy Young contender. The sky’s the limit for sure.”

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