Free agent right-hander Clay Holmes seems shut to creating a call on his subsequent staff, experiences Jayson Stark of The Athletic. Groups which have been in talks with the previous Yankees nearer have gotten the impression that he’s on the verge of selecting amongst a number of provides, per Stark, who provides that Holmes has been negotiating with “a protracted listing of contending golf equipment.”
Holmes, 32 in April, spent the previous three and a half seasons within the Bronx, combining for 217 2/3 innings of two.69 ERA ball. He fanned 26.6% of his opponents and restricted walks at a pointy 7.7% clip alongside the way in which. Holmes established himself as one of many recreation’s premier ground-ball pitchers in that point as effectively, leaning on a scorching sinker that averages 96.5 mph to induce grounders at an almost 68% clip.
Whereas Holmes broke out as a reliever within the Bronx, nonetheless, there are reportedly a number of groups which have curiosity in bringing him aboard as a beginning pitcher. Which function he prefers is definitely one thing Holmes has weighed extensively in free company — notably if many of the golf equipment he’s spoken to are anticipated contenders. Joel Sherman of the New York Publish reported final month that the Mets are among the many groups keen on seeing Holmes within the rotation. The Athletic’s Matt Gelb reported only a couple days in the past that the Phillies are keen on Holmes in a aid function. Whereas free company sometimes boils right down to the “cash talks” adage, if Holmes had comparable provides from a pair of contending golf equipment who need to use him in several roles, that’d add one other layer to the choice course of.
In 2024, Holmes tossed 63 innings of three.14 ERA ball with a 25.1% strikeout fee, 8.1% stroll fee and 65% ground-ball fee. He piled up 30 saves, bringing his profession complete to 74, but additionally ceded ninth-inning work to teammate Luke Weaver late within the season as a result of an alarming — and extremely out of character — 13 blown saves on the 12 months. He pitched fairly effectively in 13 postseason appearances, logging a 2.25 ERA, 25% strikeout fee, 10.4% stroll fee and 53.6% grounder fee in a dozen innings. Holmes was steadily thrust into leverage spots, evidenced by a 3-1 document and 5 holds over the course of these 13 playoff outings.
