The Chicago White Sox are keeping tabs on Clay Holmes as they look to strengthen their starting rotation for a playoff push.
In just over two weeks, the MLB trade deadline will be here, and between now and then, rumors will fly as teams look to fill their needs for the best price possible.
For the Chicago White Sox, the main focus will be on the pitching staff. Adding to the starting rotation and building out the back end of the bullpen will be essential changes for Chicago if the team hopes to sustain its current success and take home the AL Central title.
But that's much easier said than done. The current landscape of Major League Baseball does not lend itself to a friendly buyer's market. An overall weak American League has left plenty of teams still in the hunt for a playoff spot. A limited number of sellers reduces the supply and increases the competition among teams looking to improve. So as much as the White Sox may want to add pitching, identifying who is available and getting a deal done is another matter entirely.
Chicago does, however, seem to be narrowing in on a few targets.
According to a report in the notes section of Bob Nightengale's recent column for USA Today, "the White Sox sent Nick Hostelter, their special assistant, to keep taps on Mets starter Clay Holmes, who has begun his rehab assignment after breaking his right fibula on May 15."
Holmes signed a three year, $38 million deal with the Mets before the 2025 season, which includes a player option for the final year of his contract. When he signed the deal, he also made the transition from a two time All Star closer with the New York Yankees to a key piece of the Mets' starting rotation. And when he's been on the mound, he's delivered.
In 2025, Holmes posted a 12-8 record with a 3.53 ERA over 165.2 innings pitched.
Holmes added a changeup to his arsenal, which he threw 16 percent of the time in 2025, dialed down his arm angle by 5-8 degrees and altered his sinker usage to keep hitters more off balance. The strikeout numbers went down, but Holmes was more durable and found success with a ground ball rate that ranked in the 94th percentile.
The 2026 season has been just as successful for Holmes. He made nine starts at the beginning of the year, posting a 2.39 ERA over 52.2 innings pitched. The month of May was particularly strong, with Holmes recording a 1.48 ERA and a 3.53 FIP in 30.1 innings. But on May 19, the Mets transferred Holmes to the 60-day injured list with a right fibula fracture. He hasn't pitched in a game since, but was recently sent on a rehab assignment with the Brooklyn Cyclones (High-A).
Holmes ended up throwing a live batting practice session instead of making his scheduled rehab start because of potential inclement weather closing in on Brooklyn. But with Holmes getting back on the mound and nearing an MLB return, teams are beginning to keep tabs on his progress while considering whether to add him at the deadline.
It's not hard to see the fit for the White Sox. The injury, combined with the fact that Holmes could test free agency in hopes of securing another sizable contract at 33 years old rather than exercising his player option, should drive the overall price down.
But it is for that very reason that Chicago will likely not be too keen on parting with high end prospects. A controllable asset is one thing. A 33-year-old pitcher who is likely a rental and is fresh off the injured list may give the White Sox some pause.
Still, the version of Clay Holmes that has taken the mound for the Mets over the last two seasons would be a great fit in Chicago's starting rotation. Alongside Davis Martin and Sean Burke, Holmes would give the White Sox three starting pitchers who could reliably take the ball and anchor a playoff series.
It wouldn't be a huge national splash, but it would be the exact type of move this team needs if the price is right. And we now know that Holmes is firmly on Chicago's radar.
