NEW YORK — Pitcher Clay Holmes and the New York Mets have agreed to a three-year, $38 million contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal for the 31-year-old right-hander was subject to a successful medical exam.
Holmes can earn $13 million for each of the first two seasons and $12 million for 2027. He can opt out after the 2026 season and become a free agent again, the person said.
His agreement was first reported by the New York Post.
Holmes became a dominant player for the New York Yankees after being acquired from Pittsburgh in July 2021, becoming a two-time All-Star in the process. But he struggled this year with control and allowing hits on soft contact. Holmes lost his closer job to Luke Weaver after allowing a game-ending grand slam to Texas rookie Wyatt Langford on September 3.
He was 3-5 with a 3.14 ERA and a career-high 30 saves in 67 appearances, leading the major leagues with 13 blown saves. Rediscovering his sinker, he became an effective passer for the Yankees in the postseason, going 3–1 with a 2.25 ERA in 13 games.
Holmes’ sinker averaged 96.6 mph this season and he threw it 56 percent of the time, along with 23 percent of sliders and 21 percent of sweepers.
He made 74 saves in 95 opportunities with the Yankees over the last three years. Holmes is 24-22 with a 3.71 ERA in seven major league seasons.
After reaching the NL Championship Series and losing to the eventual World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, the Mets added right-hander Frankie Montas with a two-year, $34 million contract.
Right-hander Luis Severino, who led the Mets in innings with 182, left as a free agent on a three-year, $67 million contract with the Athletics, and left-handers Sean Manaea and Jose Quintana remain on the roster. walk.
Also Friday, the Mets announced minor league contracts with right-hander Grant Hartwig and outfielders Edward Olivares and Alex Ramírez. New York also acquired right-hander Sean Harney from Tampa Bay for the 2024 international bonus pool.
