MLB Rumors: Yankees Lose All-Star Relief Pitcher In Free Agency

Clay Holmes is fleeing the Bronx and heading for Queens, trading in his New York Yankees pinstripes to join the New York Mets.

Holmes agreed to a three-year, $38 million contract with the Mets on Friday night, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan, to remain in New York but join the other side of the Big Apple’s subway series rivalry. The 31-year-old spent the past four seasons with the Yankees, earning two All-Star appearances.

The Mets now plan to turn the reliever into a starter. Holmes hasn’t made an appearance as a starter since his rookie year in 2018.

Last season marked the second All-Star Game trip of Holmes’ seven-year career. He opened the year red-hot by not allowing a single earned run through his first 14 appearances, giving the Yankees nine saves in 13 1/3 innings of relief. Holmes ended the campaign making 67 appearances out of the bullpen, recording a 3.74 ERA with 30 saves and totaling 68 strikeouts in the regular season.

The summertime, however, saw Holmes struggle quite a bit. He blew an American League-leading 13 saves before being demoted from the closer’s role by New York skipper Aaron Boone. Once the playoffs came, Holmes gave the Yankees a solid 13 appearances, logging a 3-1 record with a 2.25 ERA and 12 strikeouts.

The Yankees, more worried about missing out on re-signing outfielder Juan Soto, didn’t feel as though the price tag was worth retaining Holmes. The Mets, on the other hand, seemingly in on every free agent on the market, can make the Yankees regret the Holmes departure depending on how they make it out of the offseason. One way or another, the battle for the true crown of New York is officially underway and it should be interesting to see how Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and Mets owner Steve Cohen approach the remainder of the winter before spring training arrives.