SIGNED: Yankees Free Agent Moves to NY Mets

There was always talk that there was a kind of unspoken agreement between the New York Mets and New York Yankees that they wouldn't try to poach each other's players. But this offseason, that's out the window. As the two teams currently battle it out for Juan Soto, the Mets have signed another Yankees player, former closer Clay Holmes.

Only they're using him in a different role.

Right-hander Clay Holmes and the New York Mets are in agreement on a three-year, $38 million contract with an opt-out after the second year, sources tell ESPN. Mets plan to turn Holmes, who has spent his big league career as a RP, into a starter. On the news: @Joelsherman1.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2024

Holmes was the Yankees closer for the past couple of years, until he lost the job late in the 2024 season. Now the Mets have signed him to a three-year, $38 million contract to become a starting pitcher for the first time in his career. The deal has an opt-out after the second year.

Holmes took a lot of hate in his final season in the Bronx (13 blown saves will do that), but he put up some pretty nice numbers there in his 3+ seasons:

2.69 ERA (12th in MLB over that span)
2.74 FIP (6th in MLB over that span)
0.41 HR/9 (3rd)
67.8 GB% (1st)

Last season, he was in the 100th percentile in groundball percentage, and the 88th in fastball velocity. He takes a career 3.71 ERA to Queens.

Why Clay Holmes can be a real starting pitcher

- 100th percentile ground ball %
- Demon sinker is sick
- Sweeper one of best in league
- Gyro Slider great against lefties & righties

He will need to use more fastballs or develop a changeup to beat lefties but lots of upside here pic.twitter.com/xHUXoZ7ylR
— James Schiano (@James_Schiano) December 7, 2024

Holmes is the Mets’ second rotation addition of the past week, as the team also signed free agent Frankie Montas (ironically, another former Yankees pitcher).