New Clay Holmes Trade Update Emerges Ahead Of Deadline

The New York Mets are widely expected to be active going into the August 3 MLB trade deadline. 

The Mets have reportedly decided which players they would be willing to move at the deadline, and the list includes big names such as Freddy Peralta, Bo Bichette and Francisco Lindor. 

Another name circling around in rumors is pitcher Clay Holmes. The Mets starter was off to a 4-4 start with a 2.39 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP before suffering a fractured tibia in May. He is set to begin a rehab start soon, and that could be enough for teams to consider acquiring him. 

Will Sammon and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic had some new intel, and they mentioned there is a chance Holmes gets moved before the deadline. 

There is also a chance the Mets sign him to an extension, so there are a lot of scenarios for Holmes at the moment. 

"While the possibility remains that the New York Mets and Clay Holmes agree to an extension, there’s a significantly greater likelihood of a trade, said people familiar with the situation who were granted anonymity in exchange for their candor."

Holmes has a $12 million option for 2027, but he will likely hit the market in hopes of landing a bigger deal, depending on how he finishes the 2026 season. 

The Chicago White Sox are one team linked to Holmes, and others should inquire about him, especially if his rehab start goes well. 

Holmes played four seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and then four with the New York Yankees, mainly a a reliever. In 2025, his first season with the Mets, he started 31 games going 12-8 with a 3.53 ERA. 

Holmes is set to pitch three innings on Thursday, and the latest reports state that he will likely need another rehab start before returning to the big league club. 

Another team that makes sense for a Holmes trade is the Milwaukee Brewers. They traded Freddy Peralta to New York this offseason, so there has been communication between the two franchises in just the past few months, and Milwaukee is certainly looking for pieces in hopes of trying to knock off the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League playoff race. 

Right now, Holmes' situation is murky due to his injury recovery, but it might be worth it to see if he can provide some depth for a playoff push.