Veteran right-handed reliever Holmes Clay accepted the conditions with the New York Mets, according to the New York Post. It’s a three-year contract worth $38 million. The team has not yet announced the deal.
Holmes, who turns 32 just before Opening Day, posted a 3.14 ERA (131 ERA+) and 3.02 FIP in 63 innings last season for the Yankees. Although Holmes ultimately lost his role as closer for the eventual American League champions, he still recorded a career-high 30 saves. In those 63 innings, Holmes struck out 68 and issued 21 unintentional walks.
The Mets intend to try Holmes as a starting pitcher next season, reports the New York Post. He played in the minors as a starter and made four major league starts in 2018, but none since. Several relievers have successfully transitioned into the rotation in recent years, including the former Mets setup man. Seth Lugo. Reynaldo Lopez And Michael King I did it too. He will join a revamped rotation featuring Kodai Senga, new Frankie Montas, Paul Blackburn and one or both of David Peterson and Tylor Megill.
Earlier in the offseason, CBS Sports ranked Holmes as the 23rd available free agent in the current class. Here is part of our article:
By almost every measure, Holmes had a tremendous run with the Yankees. Over the course of three-plus seasons, he accumulated a 155 ERA+, a 3.45 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and 74 saves. So it’s a little disheartening that his final season in the Bronx saw him lose his role as closer after missing 13 of his 43 save opportunities. SURE LOCK Holmes, it wasn’t. Still, he made some adjustments throughout the year: first reducing his slider usage in favor of a sweeper, then relying even more heavily on his trademark sinker. Even if Holmes hadn’t demonstrated adaptability, his underlying metrics and track record are strong enough that we think teams will overlook his spotty conversion rate and settle for handing over both a multi-year contract and a high leverage role.
For his career, Holmes has an ERA+ of 113 over seven major league seasons. Of his 311 games started, 307 have been relief appearances. He is a two-time All-Star.