The White Sox have maintained a one-game lead over the Guardians for first place in the AL Central, and it looking increasingly likely that the Sox will look to build on their success by adding some help at the deadline. To this end, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale writes that Mets starter Clay Holmes is on Chicago’s radar, as White Sox special assistant Nick Hostetler will “keep tabs” on Holmes during his minor league rehab assignment.
That rehab assignment has officially yet to get underway, as Holmes’ planned outing with high-A Brooklyn was canceled due to poor weather. According to MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo, multiple scouts and evaluators from rival teams were in attendance to see Holmes pitch, but Holmes instead threw around 45 pitches during a live bullpen session that was naturally limited to just Mets personnel.
Holmes’ fibula was fractured back on May 15 when the Yankees’ Spencer Jones drilled a line drive off Holmes’ right leg. The right-hander was able to avoid surgery, and is on track to meet the initial timeline of a return at some point in August, though when exactly Holmes will be ready is a major question looming over the Mets’ trade deadline plans. Saturday’s canceled game throws another delay into the works, and it decreases the chance that Holmes will be activated from the 60-day IL before the August 3 deadline.
This wouldn’t necessarily prevent a trade, of course, as teams may feel okay with taking the plunge on an injured Holmes if they like what they see in his rehab outings. DiComo cited the example of last summer’s trade that sent Shane Bieber from the Guardians to the Blue Jays, as Cleveland was able to land a notable pitching prospect (Khal Stephen) even though Bieber hadn’t pitched since April 2024 due to a Tommy John surgery.
The Mets should therefore be able to acquire some kind of interesting trade return, if they choose to move Holmes at all. The righty is in the second season of his three-year, $38MM contract, but he is expected to opt out of the final year of that deal and test free agency even though he has spent over two months on the IL. This effectively makes Holmes a rental player, which will limit what other teams will offer New York in trade talks. However, Holmes has said that he likes playing in Queens and is interested in discussing an extension, so the Mets are expected to explore that possibility while also fielding trade offers.
Eyebrows were raised when the Mets signed Holmes with the plan of converting him to starting pitching, but the experiment ended up being a success. Holmes posted a 3.53 ERA over 165 2/3 innings in 2025 and then a 2.39 ERA in his first 52 2/3 innings of 2026 before Jones’ fateful comebacker. Holmes’ strikeout numbers have sharply dropped as a starter, but he has continued to keep the ball on the ground (55.8% grounder rate in 2025-26) and he has allowed just 17 home runs in his time in New York.
A healthy Holmes would boost the rotation of any contender, including the upstart White Sox. Davis Martin and Sean Burke have both pitched well at the front of the rotation, while the results have been a little more mixed for Anthony Kay, Erick Fedde, and rookie Noah Schultz. The Sox are thin on experience and depth when it comes to their starting options, so the rotation and bullpen figure to be Chicago’s top target areas as the deadline approaches.
Chicago GM Chris Getz said back in early June that the team’s focus remains on the big picture in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year, but “we know where we are in the standings, both within the division and Wild Card, and we’re monitoring it….if there’s chances to really add to this group, we’re going to do that.” Since the Sox have kept on winning since Getz made those statements over six weeks ago, it would seem like the front office will indeed look to make some upgrades, even if a deadline buying splurge isn’t happening.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal recently wrote that the White Sox “are willing to be relatively aggressive on players under club control, but are not inclined to overpay for rentals, according to a person briefed on their plans.” Holmes doesn’t technically fit this model given the likelihood that he’ll trigger his opt-out clause, which could limit Chicago’s ability or desire to meet the Mets’ asking price. With many teams involved and the continued uncertainty over his health situation, other pitchers may be likelier trade targets for Chicago than Holmes, but that shouldn’t stop the Sox from doing their due diligence.
Hopefully the White Sox have some good prospects coming to the Mets lol
Clay Holmes will be a very good interesting addition to this Sox rotation, but I am scared that Chris will give too many prospects up for this year to make the playoffs.
So the goal shouldn’t be to make the playoffs?
Do they need to add anyone to make the playoffs? Been doing well so far.
No. But, they will if they want to win in the playoffs.
I’d rather they take on a big contract and give up little in prospects. Their payroll is nothing. Spend some money!
Billy Carlson may be heading back home to California if they are to land Detmers from Angels. Not sure there is any big $ salary non-rental other than old man Wacha
Half of all 2nd rd picks play even 1 game in MLB and 40% of 3rd picks. The #s continue to get worse from there. Its nice to have prospects, but teams have to capitalize to some extent when opportunity presents itself.
The Mets are open for business. Let the roster turnover to begin
They’ve got some interesting relievers I’m hoping the Twins can snag
What would the White Sox offer, realistically? Think Mets should extend him than deal Holmes. Mets intend to compete and starting pitching is an area of need as is that the Mets could ill afford to lose Holmes for nothing short of a decent haul.
I totally agree
CWS (#10) SP Mason Adams
CWS (#12) OF George Wolkow
CWS (#9) OF Ely Brown
For Clay Holmes.
Then the Mets re-sign him in the off-season.
If Holmes goes this season, I doubt he comes back to the Mets.
Unfortunately, I think you’re right. That’s why they need to work out an extension
I’m assuming your confusion is with my error of putting #9 instead of #29 for OF Ely Brown.
Otherwise,
2025 deadline:
Rangers gave up their #13,21,27 for Merrill Kelly
Blue Jays gave up their #11 for Bieber who hadn’t thrown a pitch up to that point.
Red Sox gave up James Tibbs (Current LAD #9) + another lower level prospect for Dustin May.
10,12,29 for Clay Holmes is realistic. He’s likely the CWS game 1 starter if they make the playoffs.
They can certainly ask, but Adams is one of the few arms with actual command they have in minors + they waited out his TJS where he likely gets promoted soon. Don’t see him being dealt unless it’s part of package for another decent SP with 2+ years of control. A more win now team will outbid WSox on rental pitchers in general (especially off injury).
I understand the sentiment. But he’s 26, small frame at 6’1 190, and throws low to mid 90’s. His ceiling is likely a #5/multi-inning arm. Down the home stretch, with a chance at a division crown, would you rather have Holmes pitching or Adams? The Mets could throw him out every 5 days and take that risk for your Sox, while Holmes heads your rotation.
Not to mention y’all just drafted 10 pitchers. Heck, Eric Segura is a command pitcher (still reigning in the command a tiny bit, but a command pitcher nonetheless) who has a plus sinker, higher likelihood of being a rotation arm, and has a solid a frame. Plus he’s a 21 y/o college arm who should be MLB ready in short order.
All 3 for Holmes are are these the menu you have to choose 1?
With Soto, Ewing, and Benge, outfielders are NOT on the Mets shopping list; it reads as follows:
1) pitching
2) pitching
3) pitching
4) a power hitting 1B
In my hypothetical trade, the top prospect the Mets receive, is a pitcher.
Secondly, Juan Soto is a future DH. His defense is only declining.
Who is to say OF prospect could Ely Brown can’t get flipped in 2027 when the Mets are back to “going all in”.
Who is to say 6’7 George Wolkow, regardless of his exceptional arm in RF, isn’t going to harness his plate discipline, shorten up his long swing, and be a nice power hitting 1B?
Did you actually look into the players in the hypothetical swap, or are you just criticizing to criticize? What’s your hypothetical trade, Exile?
Christian Oppur for Clay Holmes
@CluHaywood,what the heck happened to him? I’ve only been following box scores, but reads like hes got an all time case of the yips
Yea, he just forgot how to baseball this year. Dunno. As a Sox fan, this isnt even the first time I’ve seen a guy rise so high and fall just as fast either. Alec Hansen did just about the same thing about 9-10 years ago. Just completely forgot how to pitch.
Having effectively a limitless wallet covers for a multitude of operational and player performance issues. Still, even if Holmes is a rental and he triggers his opt out… I hope the Mets extract a high prospect price from the ChiSox. Cohen could eat most all of the contract to up the return since the White Sox ownership has been so historically “frugal”.
The payroll is low, attendance is up with way better play and future owner Ishbia is infusing money…..so giving up higher value prospects to save Reinsdorf money won’t be in play moving forward.
never underestimate the power of Reinsdorf’s stupidity.
“The White Sox have maintained a one-game lead over the Guardians for first place in the AL Central”
umm did i read that right?
the laughingstock white sox who set the all time record for futility a couple yrs ago is… in 1st place ?!
Yes, they’ve been a competitive baseball team for a good while now, this season.
made some moves
developed some young talent
good for them
Have you been in a coma?
You must not follow baseball. It’s all good though. At least you’ve read up a little on the past! We will all be looking forward to your response post in 3 years.
wow some harsh comments
were u guys bullied in school or something? why ya’ll taking it out on me?
I think the White Sox have the prospects to get it done. I’d like to see if they could extend him for another season if they do go deep in talks for a trade, but even they don’t, I’d like Getz try and get Holmes.
Plan Z hopefully among more reliable options.
In a year where Stearns has made an outsized % of poor bets, hopefully any potential prospect haul turns out better than his predecessor in 2023 (..glances at Clifford AAA stats…)
Mason Adams or Blake Larson. Not much more than that for this kind of rental
But Clay not showing any signs of interest in them.
If it’s a pitcher, the next pitch could be his last. You have to trade him. Re-sign him in the off-season, but don’t play games when you are 18 games under .500. How did holding onto Skubal work out for the kitties?
Chris Getz already bent David Stearns over on the Luus Robert trade and apparently isn’t afraid to return to the scene of the crime.
Robert has more WAR in his 20 or so games than Acuña does in nearly 70, and Pauley has a 5.65 ERA with 55 walks in 71.2 innings in A ball. Don’t think anyone really won that trade, much less bent the other one over.
Except the Mets paid $20 million for a player that has played in 24 games with a.224 average.
The difference between .1 and -.3 WAR is small sample white noise. White Sox won that trade far and away simply by not having to pay LRJR a single penny this year
The Mets need someone to pitch next year The return had better be worth it
He’s still likely to opt out tho, no?
Starting Pitcher coming off the DL after being out 2 months with fibula which stabilizes the ankle, 33 years old and only once pitched more than 100 innings, with no team control = 25+ year old prospect or you can have Acuna back.
Tell me his nickname is ‘Adobe’.