The New York Mets have accepted terms on a three-year, $38 million deal with right-hander Clay Holmes. But, the Mets do not wish to use him as a reliever. Instead, they will turn him to the rotation, hoping for his ability to use a three-pitch mix multiple times through a batting order.
New York has not confirmed the contract, which contains an opt-out after the 2026 season, because it is awaiting a physical.
When the deal becomes official, the signing will be one of the examples of an established reliever stretching out as a starter. Former Mets reliever Seth Lugo started the trend in 2023 when he signed with the San Diego Padres and delivered a 3.57 ERA in 26 starts. A year later, Lugo finished second in American League Cy Young voting.
Lugo’s replacement in the Padres rotation, Michael King, went from a standout Yankees reliever to a fantastic San Diego starter, also getting Cy Young votes.
Unlike Lugo and King, Holmes does not have four-plus pitches. But the former Yankees pitcher throws with regularity, including a high-velocity sinker that he led the Majors with a 64.6 percent ground-ball rate last term. Holmes compliments that pitch with two unique breaking balls, a slider and sweeper, which he used to strike out 68 batters in 63 innings.
