The New York Mets have signed Clay Holmes to a surprising three-year, $38 million contract, aiming to convert him from closer to starting pitcher.
New York: So, the Mets just pulled a fast one by signing Clay Holmes to a three-year, $38 million deal. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher since they already have Edwin Diaz in the bullpen. Holmes has been a closer for the Yankees, racking up a solid 2.69 ERA and 74 saves over the last few seasons. But now, they want him to start? That’s got people talking.
Many fans are probably thinking about Michael King, another former Yankees reliever who made a successful switch to starting. If Holmes can channel that kind of energy, he might just surprise us all in 2025. He’s got a knack for getting ground balls and weak contact, boasting a 65% groundball rate last season. That’s impressive!
But here’s the kicker: Holmes has only started four games in his entire MLB career. He’s been a reliever for so long that it’s hard to picture him as a starter. Still, he’s thrown over 63 innings each of the last four years, so maybe he can handle the workload. It’s a gamble, but it could pay off.
His pitch mix is interesting too. He leans heavily on his sinker, which he throws about 56% of the time. It’s fast and gets a lot of ground balls, but he needs to work on his command. If he can tighten that up, he might just find success in the rotation.
Holmes has also been experimenting with a hard slider and a new sweeper pitch. If the Mets can help him refine these pitches, he could become a real asset. They might even tweak his approach to make him more effective against hitters.
However, there’s a risk involved. Holmes hasn’t started a game since 2018, and his command has been shaky at times. If he can’t find the zone, the Mets might have to move him back to the bullpen, which would be a bummer for fantasy managers hoping for a breakout.
In the fantasy world, it’s a mixed bag. While he was a decent closer, transitioning to a starter could be tricky. His command issues could limit his effectiveness, making him a risky pick. If he can find his groove, he might be a back-end starter, but it’s hard to say when he’ll be reliable.
So, keep an eye on Holmes. He’s got potential, but it’s going to take some work to see if he can really make this transition. It’ll be interesting to see how the Mets handle him moving forward!