Clay Holmes DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports that New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes will start the team's Grapefruit League opener on Saturday against the Houston Astros. Holmes, previously the New York Yankees' closer, signed with the crosstown Mets in the offseason and will make the transition to being a full-time starter in 2025. The 31-year-old former ninth-round selection of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2011 has not started a game since 2018, which means he probably shouldn't be expected to throw more than 120 innings in his first year in Queens. He was a two-time All-Star in his three full seasons in the Bronx and posted a 2.85 ERA (2.84 FIP), a 1.16 WHIP, 74 saves, 204 strikeouts and 65 walks in 189 2/3 relief innings. Holmes is an extreme ground-ball artist and could succeed in his new role, but the fantasy upside here won't be very high in 2025. RotoBaller has Holmes ranked as the No. 88 fantasy starting pitcher.

New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes, who is expected to move from a relief role to a starting role with his new team in 2025, said he wants to be able to throw at least 160 innings next season. Holmes signed with the Mets in free agency and has confidence in the training staff to help with his transition to the starting rotation. The 31-year-old spent the last three seasons in the Bronx with the New York Yankees, making the All-Star team twice and posting a 2.85 ERA (2.84 FIP), 1.16 WHIP, 204 strikeouts, 65 walks and 74 saves in 189 2/3 innings pitched. He'll be looking for similar success that recent relievers-turned-starters Garrett Crochet and Reynaldo Lopez have had. Holmes threw a career-high 136 1/3 frames in the minors in 2016, so it may be a bit unrealistic for him to get up to 160 after spending much of the last six years as a reliever.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the New York Mets have signed relief pitcher Clay Holmes to a three-year, $38 million contract. Holmes spent his past three seasons serving as a high-leverage option for the New York Yankees. Last season, Holmes began the season as the closer but eventually lost his job towards the back half of the summer after posting a 3.75 ERA and 1.29 in the second half. Earlier in the offseason, there was speculation that potential suitors were viewing Holmes as a possible starting pitcher. Fantasy managers should monitor how the Mets view Holmes during spring training, as he will likely not see any save opportunities with Edwin Diaz on the roster. Despite his drop in production last summer, Holmes generated a strong 5.6% barrel rate, 30.2% whiff rate, and an impressive 64.6% ground-ball rate, which suggests he could be due for some positive regression in Queens.

According to Jayson Stark of The Athletic, relief pitcher Clay Holmes is nearing his free-agent decision. Stark noted that the clubs in talks with Holmes suggest he is nearing a final decision. However, it is still unknown whether Holmes will continue to operate as a reliever or consider moving to the rotation. Earlier this offseason, there was some speculation that teams were considering Holmes as a potential starting pitcher. In addition, Stark noted that several of the teams interested in Holmes are contenders. Last season, the 31-year-old opened the campaign as the Yankees closer but eventually lost his job later in the summer. In the second half, he posted a high 3.75 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. However, he still posted solid metrics under the hood, including a 5.6% barrel rate and a stellar 64.6% ground ball rate. Fantasy managers should monitor where Holmes signs, as he could find fantasy production either as a high-leverage option or as a starter.

A few teams are asking about free-agent right-hander Clay Holmes moving from the bullpen to the starting rotation in 2025, including the New York Mets, according to a source. Holmes was a starter throughout his minor-league career, but he hasn't started a game since his debut season with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018. MLB teams are looking more at converting relievers into starters after recent success had by right-handers Seth Lugo, Michael King, Reynaldo Lopez, Jordan Hicks and Zack Littell. Holmes was an All-Star for the second time with the New York Yankees in 2024 as a reliever and has the pitch arsenal to be successful as a starter. In addition, he's been durable, appearing in the eighth-most games in the majors in the last four seasons and another 19 playoff games. Holmes turns 32 in March and led the majors in blown saves (13) this past season.