A disappointing 2026 season has positioned the New York Mets to sell before MLB's Aug. 3 trade deadline. However, they don't necessarily have to part ways with one potential free agent.
Clay Holmes can forgo the final year of his contract and enter free agency, where he's highly likely to make more than the $12 million he'd receive by exercising his 2027 player option. The former closer has transitioned well to a rotation role, posting a 3.26 ERA over 218 1/3 innings with the Mets.
Although Holmes remains sidelined with a fractured right fibula, the right-hander should still draw trade interest in a market littered with playoff hopefuls. The Mets may move him alongside Freddy Peralta and other veterans who can leave Flushing this winter, but Holmes wouldn't mind staying.
Holmes told The Athletic's Will Sammon and Tim Britton that he's "definitely open" to signing an extension with the Mets.
"I know things are not the easiest right now and hard, but it’s not like I’m sitting here hoping to run away from it," Holmes said. "If I can be part of the solution to make things better here, I would like that."
Holmes reached the World Series with the New York Yankees two years ago before joining their crosstown rivals. The 33-year-old hopes to experience the same run with the Big Apple's National League club.
“I came here for a reason. You almost have the sense of some type of unfinished business," Holmes added. "You want to make things right and do things well here because when you do win here, it’s very exciting. I've seen that. It’s something that I hope to be a part of. I don't know what that looks like. But that desire is still there."
According to Sammon and Britton, the Mets are also open to extending Holmes. They speculated that a three-year deal worth anywhere from $60 million to $75 million could make sense for both parties.
Yet to face live batters, Holmes may not return in time to boost his trade value before the deadline. With the Mets likely looking to reset rather than rebuild, he could be an important piece toward bouncing back in 2027.