Height
6'5"
Weight
245 lbs
Age
33
College
N/A
Draft
2011, Rd 9, #272
Experience
8 yrs
Bats/Throws
R/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsB
| Year | Team | GP | ERA | W-L | K | WHIP | IP | SV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 344 | 3.6500995 | 36-30 | 489 | 1.3021868 | 0.0 | 74 |
Current Contract
Length
3 years
Total Value
$38.0M
Guaranteed
$22.8M
AAV
$12.7M/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
Clay Holmes' three-year, $12.7M AAV deal with the Mets earns a D+ CVI, reflecting a questionable investment in an unproven starter transitioning from the bullpen. While Holmes showed elite closer capabilities with the Yankees, paying above-average starter money for a pitcher who hasn't logged meaningful innings as a starter since 2018 carries substantial risk. The Mets are essentially betting $38 million that a 32-year-old reliever can successfully convert to a rotation role at an age when most pitchers are declining, which historically has mixed results at best. Holmes' ground-ball tendencies and swing-and-miss stuff suggest upside, but the contract assumes he'll immediately produce 3+ WAR seasons when most successful closer-to-starter transitions take time to develop. Given the Mets' competitive window and need for rotation stability, this deal represents a significant overpay for what amounts to a high-variance experiment that could easily backfire. The franchise would have been better served pursuing a proven starter at this price point rather than gambling on Holmes' untested ability to handle a 180-inning workload.
Fan & Media Sentiment
The Clay Holmes narrative sits in cautiously optimistic territory, reflecting the measured expectations that typically surround mid-rotation acquisitions rather than franchise-altering moves. Mets fans and media are latching onto his promising early World Baseball Classic showing and his potential chemistry with Sean Manaea as reasons for guarded hope, though the overall tone remains more analytical than enthusiastic. The sentiment largely stems from contract pragmatism — Holmes represents a calculated gamble on rotation depth without breaking the bank, which resonates well with a fanbase that's grown weary of splashy signings that underperform. What's particularly telling is how his B- public perception undersells his actual A- production grade, suggesting the media hasn't fully caught up to just how effective he's been when healthy and in the right role. A strong spring training or early-season stretch of quality starts would likely push sentiment firmly into positive territory, while any injury setbacks or early struggles could quickly sour the narrative given the inherent skepticism around starter conversions. Right now, Holmes enjoys the benefit of low expectations and moderate investment — a sweet spot where modest success feels like a win for both player and franchise.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun, 4/5 | @ SF | W 9-0 | - | - | - | 0 | - | - | - |
News & Buzz
Live Discussion
Auto-moderated fan forum with 5-minute speaker turns
Discussion
Loading discussion...