Ex-Yankees All-Star Reveals 'Joke' Reason for Bolting to Join Mets
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The New York Yankees moved on from several key players after making it all the way to the World Series.
In addition to Juan Soto, there were some long-time roster staples who went on to find new homes. One of those, two-time All-Star Clay Holmes, ultimately followed Soto to the crosstown rival New York Mets.
After earning a career-high 30 saves with the Yankees last year and ultimately losing the closer role to Luke Weaver in the playoffs, Holmes took a three-year, $38 million deal to join the Mets and convert himself into a starter. So far this season he has maintained a 2.95 ERA with 39 strikeouts in seven starts.
In a new interview with USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Holmes detailed his decision to leave the Yankees, acknowledging that they did express some interest in retaining him but never discussed the idea of giving him a starting role.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 08: Clay Holmes #35 of the New York Mets in action against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on April 08, 2025 in New York City. The Mets defeated...
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 08: Clay Holmes #35 of the New York Mets in action against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on April 08, 2025 in New York City. The Mets defeated the Marlins 10-5. (Photo by)"The Yankees, who helped develop Holmes into one of the game's top closers, never once brought up the idea of Holmes becoming a starter," Nightengale wrote. "They were lightly engaged in talks with him in the offseason about a possible return, but strictly as a reliever."
Holmes added that, even as he performed as one of the best relievers in baseball and began to demonstrate a starter's arsenal, the Yankees likely find it surprising that he's had so much success in his new role.
"I mean, there were jokes about it last year but that was it," Holmes told Nightengale. "I started throwing a change-up in bullpen sessions, and before you knew it, I was throwing five pitches down there. There would be jokes about it, like, 'Man, you should be starting with all of these pitches,' but it was nothing more than a joke."
With Holmes' early success as a starter for the Mets and the Yankees facing persistent questions about their rotation, missing out on converting Holmes might not be so funny over in the Bronx.
More MLB: Yankees-Astros Trade Idea Brings $70 Million Ace to New York in 3-Player Swap
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