New York Mets: Signing Former Closer Clay Holmes A Wise Decision

The 2025 New York Mets were blessed to have the slow starting yet super productive offseason haul they did. From inking superstar former New York Yankees Outfielder Juan Soto, 26, to a 15 year, $765 million dollar deal, to bringing back Pete Alonso, 30, on top of bolstering their pitching, the sky is very well the limit. Here’s why adding former Yankees closer Clay Holmes was a significant move.

Holmes, 31, has done a phenomenal job in the Bronx. With a 3-5 record, notching 30 saves with a 3.14 ERA last season, that simply means that Holmes can get the job done.

So with the team obviously having an elite closer in Edwin Diaz, the strategic logic of turning Holmes into a SP, which was a huge concern entering 2025, that gives the rotation a huge filling. Backed by Ace Kodai Senga, 32, and the promising starter who was also re-signed back in Sean Manaea, it could signal that the team is capable of having a rotation that there’s not many concerns about once again.

On top of the pitching having a revamped and solid outlook, the lineup with potential to put runs on the board looks formidable. It’s a win win all over.

Am I saying this team is winning every game? No. Am I saying this team is the best one in the NL East now? No.

What I’m saying is, there may be teams who are more poised for deep playoff contention, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this team also gave their respective rivals a run for their money. Time tells all, and with that being said, the talent that the younger guys such as Fransisco Alvarez, Brett Baty, Ronny Mauricio, Mark Vientos and LuisAngel Acuna are showing should give fans hope.

This team was definitely worse off in many prior seasons, and they still managed to make the wild card, hence 2022. It’s possible that this team, although facing tough competition, could pull off a remarkable finish this coming season.

To put things into perspective, Clay Holmes was such an underrated and key move. With the ability to turn a closer into a starter and have talent in nearly every spot in the lineup, this team looks great on paper. For once, the team may actually prove that this is a new era of Mets baseball.