Clay Holmes Open to Mets Reunion After Expected Contract Opt-Out

The New York Mets traded Clay Holmes to the Chicago Cubs less than three months ago.

But the veteran right-hander could be interested in returning to Queens.

Holmes is expected to opt out of his contract following the 2026 season, and he would be open to rejoining the Mets if the two sides can agree on a new deal, according to Chelsea Janes of SNY.

The 33-year-old has a $12 million player option for 2027, but his successful transition from reliever to starter could make him considerably more valuable on the open market.

Holmes signed a three-year, $38 million contract with the Mets before the 2025 season after spending the previous three-plus seasons with the New York Yankees.

He responded by posting a 3.53 ERA over 165 2/3 innings in his first full season as a starter.

Holmes was even better early in 2026, posting a 2.39 ERA through nine starts before suffering a fractured right fibula when he was struck by a line drive in May.

The injury sidelined him for more than two months, and the Mets eventually sent Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor to the Cubs in exchange for highly regarded infield prospect Jefferson Rojas at the August trade deadline.

Holmes finished the season with a 6-8 record, a 3.29 ERA and 78 strikeouts over 101 1/3 innings.

Now, with the Mets looking to rebuild their starting rotation, a reunion could make sense for both sides.

New York enters the offseason with Nolan McLean emerging as a potential ace, while Christian Scott and Zac Thornton have shown promise. But the team still needs dependable veteran pitching after a disappointing 2026 campaign.

President of baseball operations David Stearns acknowledged that need during his end-of-season news conference.

“I do think it is necessary for us to add to our starting rotation. We can do that in a variety of different ways,” Stearns said, according to SNY.

Holmes would offer an established starting option who has already demonstrated he can pitch successfully in New York.

However, bringing him back would also mean committing additional money to a pitcher the Mets traded away just months earlier.

The Mets acquired Rojas as part of their deadline sell-off, prioritizing young talent after falling out of contention.

And with New York continuing to build around its promising young prospects, the front office must decide how much to spend on experienced pitching this winter.

For now, Holmes remains under contract with Chicago until he makes his opt-out decision.

But if he reaches free agency as expected, a return to the Mets appears to be a possibility.