Mets consider making Clay Holmes a starter, fans divided

In November 2024, the New York Mets engaged in discussions regarding the potential conversion of Clay Holmes into a starting pitcher during the general managers' meetings. This strategic shift comes after Holmes's impressive tenure with the New York Yankees, where he excelled as a closer before losing the role in September 2024. His ability to effectively manage games as a setup man during the postseason further justifies the Mets' interest in reworking his pitching strategy. With a recent three-year contract worth $38 million finalized, Holmes is set to earn $13 million annually for the first two seasons, with a player option of $12 million for 2027. The Mets believe that with appropriate adjustments, such as incorporating a changeup into his pitching arsenal, Holmes can become a reliable starter able to face lineups multiple times throughout games. Merging Holmes into the rotation appears to be part of a broader strategy by Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns, who stated that the team needs to maintain a depth of starting pitchers, especially given their concern over the recent injury track record of existing starters like Kodai Senga. Senga, a runner-up for the NL Rookie of the Year in 2023, was sidelined due to various injuries during the past season, leading to concerns about his readiness for opening day. The Mets anticipate a six-man rotation primarily, which shows their desire to have various options available, especially to manage player workloads and performance through the season. Despite being under the ownership of high-spending Steve Cohen, Stearns emphasized that there is no definitive payroll budget. He conveyed that the Mets would continue to operate with high payrolls but needs to be disciplined with their financial decisions, recognizing that there are limits to spending when trying to improve the team incrementally. This indicates a strategic yet cautious approach to roster management amid a competitive free agency market. Additionally, the Mets have been actively involved in acquiring talent from various sources, like competing for Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, highlighting their intent to strengthen their overall pitching capabilities. The recent sale of their Triple-A and Class A teams suggests the organization is also recalibrating its resources to focus effectively on major league player development. The context of these developments indicates that the Mets are positioning themselves for a more competitive showing in the upcoming season. By converting Holmes into a starter and ensuring they have depth in their rotation, they aim to stabilize their pitching efforts and improve their overall performance in future seasons. Whether Holmes can successfully transition from a closer to a starter will depend largely on his ability to expand his pitch offerings and adapt his game management strategies effectively.