Sep 27, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes (35) pitches against the Miami Marlins in the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images
Clay Holmes is working his way back from a broken fibula suffered in May when he took a line drive off the leg. But will his next start come as a member of the Mets?
The injured ace is generating trade buzz, with the Chicago White Sox showing interest as one of the surprising buyers ahead of Major League Baseball’s Aug. 3 trade deadline, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
Formerly one of the worst teams in baseball for years, including an MLB-record 121 losses in 2024, an entertaining core of power hitters led by Colston Montgomery and Munetaka Murakami has the palehosers sitting in first-place in the AL Central.
Starting pitching, though, is a necessity, and Holmes would be just what they need. The veteran right-hander had a 2.39 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP in nine starts this season before hitting the injured list.
The Mets’ willingness to trade the 33-year-old, though, is unknown. Multiple reports have tabbed that Holmes and David Stearns are mutually interested in pursuing a contract extension. Should those talks gain little traction, though, the likelihood of a trade skyrockets.
Holmes has a $12 million option on his contract for next season that he will most certainly decline, as a big payday is in store after showing an ability to thrive as a starting pitcher. He had been a closer for the better part of the previous seven years before joining the Mets in 2025.
A Stearns fire sale continues to loom over the Mets with two weeks until the trade deadline. Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, Juan Soto, AJ Ewing, and Carson Benge are the only players who are deemed untouchable.
For more on Clay Holmes and the Mets, visit AMNY.com
