ESPN: Yankees favorite pitcher has agreed to a three-year, $38 million contract with the Mets.
A source familiar with the talks told The Associated Press on Friday that pitcher Clay Holmes and the New York Mets have reached an agreement on a three-year, $38 million contract.
Because the agreement for the 31-year-old right-hander was contingent upon a successful physical, the individual spoke on condition of anonymity.
Holmes may make $12 million in 2027 and $13 million in the first two seasons. According to the source, he has the option to opt out following the 2026 season and become a free agent once more.
The New York Post was the first to report about his deal.
After being acquired from Pittsburgh in July 2021, Holmes became a dominant closer for the New York Yankees and was selected to the All-Star team twice. However, he had trouble controlling himself and letting hits on soft contact this year. After giving up a game-ending grand slam to Texas freshman Wyatt Langford on September 3, Holmes lost his closer position to Luke Weaver.
He led the big leagues in blown saves with 13 and finished 3-5 with a 3.14 ERA and a career-high 30 saves in 67 appearances. He went 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 13 games during the postseason after rediscovering his sinker and became a productive setup man for the Yankees.
In addition to 23% sliders and 21% sweepers, Holmes’ sinker averaged 96.6 mph this season and he threw it 56% of the time.
Over the previous three years, he had 95 opportunities with the Yankees and 74 saves. In seven big league seasons, Holmes has a 3.71 ERA and a 24-22 record.
The Mets signed right-hander Frankie Montas to a two-year, $34 million contract after falling to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series.
Left-handers Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana are still available, while right-hander Luis Severino, who led the Mets in innings with 182, signed a three-year, $67 million contract with the Athletics as a free agent.
The Mets also announced minor league contracts for outfielders Edward Olivares and Alex Ramírez, as well as right-hander Grant Hartwig, on Friday. In order to allocate the 2024 international bonus pool, New York also purchased right-hander Sean Harney from Tampa Bay.
