The New York Mets have made a significant commitment to right-hander Clay Holmes, signing him to a three-year, $38 million contract with the intention of transitioning him from a reliever to a starting pitcher. This strategic move aims to bolster the Mets’ rotation by capitalizing on Holmes’ pitching repertoire and his familiarity with the New York baseball environment.
The Mets’ decision to convert Holmes into a starter is influenced by recent successful transitions of relievers to starting roles in Major League Baseball. Notably, former Mets reliever Seth Lugo transitioned to a starter with the San Diego Padres in 2023, posting a 3.57 ERA in 26 starts and later finishing second in American League Cy Young voting with the Kansas City Royals. Similarly, Michael King moved from the Yankees’ bullpen to the Padres’ rotation, garnering Cy Young votes for his performance.
Holmes’ pitching arsenal includes a high-velocity sinker, which contributed to a major league-leading 64.6% ground-ball rate last season, along with a slider and a sweeper. These pitches have been effective in short relief stints, but their efficacy over extended innings remains to be seen. Holmes has not started a game since his rookie year in 2018, making this transition a significant change in his professional role.
To prepare for his new role, Holmes has arrived early at the Mets’ spring training complex. He has been working on expanding his pitch repertoire, adding a changeup and a four-seam fastball to complement his existing sinker-slider combination. Holmes expressed confidence in his ability to adapt to the starting position without significantly altering his pitching style.
The Mets’ rotation for the upcoming season includes Holmes, Frankie Montas, Kodai Senga, and David Peterson. The team is considering employing a six-man rotation to provide additional rest for pitchers, particularly Senga, who is returning from injury. Manager Carlos Mendoza, who is familiar with Holmes from their time with the Yankees, has assured Holmes that he will remain in the rotation as long as he remains physically healthy.
Holmes’ transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation represents a calculated risk for the Mets. If successful, it could significantly enhance the team’s pitching depth and overall performance. Holmes’ progress will be closely monitored as he seeks to make a substantial impact in his new role with the Mets.
