The New York Mets and a familiar all-star pitcher have already come up in possible trade rumors. MLB Insider Robert Murray of FanSided reports that an early possible trade candidate ahead of the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline on August 3rd is Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes. Murray right away acknowledges that it’s still rather early in the season and despite the Mets’ dreadful start, “haven’t formally announced up to this point that they are sellers”, states Murray.
The Mets originally signed Holmes to a three-year, $38 million contract back in the 2024 offseason. Since then, Holmes has been largely dominant as a Met, especially to begin the 2026 season, he’s posted a 4-2 record with a 1.69 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 42.2 innings pitched.
Holmes, since joining the Mets organization, has posted an average ERA of 3.15 with 160 strikeouts in over 200 innings pitched since the beginning of the 2025 season.
Mets Making Holmes Starter Again Paying Off
The Mets transitioned Clay Holmes from a reliever to a starter, a role he held with the Yankees for four seasons (2021-24), where he pitched out of the bullpen and served as the team’s closer.
Holmes had a lot of success in New York with the Yankees, but also struggled at times when he was officially named the team’s closer. The Mets clearly saw something in him that they believed would transition well into a full-time starter, which Holmes hadn’t done since his first stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates back in 2019.
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 03: Clay Holmes #35 of the New York Yankees in action against the Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium on July 03, 2024 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Holmes Will Have Lots Of Potential Suitors
Murray cites that Holmes had attracted “much interest” in free agency before signing with the Mets. He states how it’s likely only grown when you attribute his success in a Mets uniform up to this point and in the first half of the 2026 season. The New York Mets are currently 13-22 (5th place) in the NL East and already 12 games back from first place, held by the Atlanta Braves currently (26-11).
The Mets are off to a better month so far in May with a 3-2 record, having won a series in Anaheim against the Angels, and now look to win this next series (4-game set) in Colorado against the Rockies. As it relates to wild card standings, the Mets are currently 6.5 games back, but considering we are in the first week of May, there is still some hope for the Mets to gain some ground and catch up as contenders again.
GettyANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – MAY 3: Clay Holmes #35 of the New York Mets delivers to the plate during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 3, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Mets Need To Keep Winning Right Now
The Mets will face the Rockies today at 9:20 PM E.T. after being rained out the night before. This will be a four-game set that the Mets really need to win to avoid digging themselves into deeper problems and potentially gain some ground in the standings.
But for the New York Mets’ sake, they’ll have to keep winning in May; otherwise, the conversations about them becoming possible sellers and the Clay Holmes trade rumors and speculation will only grow louder.
Holmes will almost certainly attract a lot of attention from major league teams if the Mets spiral continues and he, in fact, does become available at the trade deadline, which will be something to keep an eye on in the weeks and months ahead.
Mets Could Trade This All Star Pitcher At Trade Deadline: Murray