A two-time all-star who has spent 8 years mastering the bullpen is now asked to flip his entire game. He’s a $38 million star who signed a 3-year contract with the New York Mets, and now he’s onto something he never imagined in his wildest bullpen dreams. In his 307 career appearances in the bullpen, he has never pitched more than 70 innings across 8 seasons. Not one, not two, but three teams in the league asked him if he was willing to do the unthinkable – letting go of his longtime established role of a reliever.

By now, you must have picked up that it’s the Mets’ starter, Clay Holmes, we’re talking about. Yes, three teams asked Holmes if he would be open to being a starter. Honestly, it intrigued him initially. He wasn’t sure – if anything, he was too numb to decide it. His forte has always been entering late and giving the team the lead. Now, he had to transition to a much heavier and tougher role – being a starter.

However, he didn’t expect it, but he has been doing well as a starter. It’s been seven starts into the season, and he has earned the trust of the Mets. In fact, the New York Mets’ star Juan Soto also acknowledged how tough it is for Holmes to change his role entirely.

Oh, and he was Holmes’ former teammate as well when both used to play for the New York Yankees. Soto shared his honest take: “I never thought about him being a starter. Never.” He further added, “I mean, I knew he worked hard every day, but to go from throwing one inning to being a starter, that’s tough.” Surely it is. It is draining mentally and physically to settle in with an entirely different setup.

Soto concluded, saying, “What he’s doing now is so impressive.” Holmes did impress the Mets as a whole. You see, till now, he has pitched 36 2/3 innings across seven starts. And guess what? Holmes is just 27 1/3 innings away from reaching his last year’s total. Isn’t that great? For the role he was confused about, he is actually doing well in it.

The reason Holmes chose Mets to make the boldest career move

The Yankees have molded Clay Holmes into a top reliever. The other day, Holmes recalled that back in his time with the Yankees, it was more of a joke that he would ever be a starter. Adding to your belief, Holmes himself stated, “I started throwing a change-up in bullpen sessions, and before you knew it, I was throwing five [different] pitches down there. There would be jokes about it.” So, yes, he never really saw himself as a starter.

And then, as he hit free agency, it wasn’t just the New York Mets who wanted to sign Holmes. All the teams wanted him to give up on his closer role and be a starter. When he had to make the decision, he trusted the New York Mets as he made a big transition in his career. He explored the idea of expanding his arsenal and the New York Mets were his best choice.

But why the Mets? By all means, the Mets made the most sense. B.B. Abbott, Holmes’ agent, said the reason why Holmes chose the Mets had nothing to do with payroll. Holmes’ agent admitted, “They (the Mets) did a good job laying it all out for him.” The analytical team of the Mets breaks down the pitches and patterns well for him.

Not to forget, another reason was that Holmes had familiar faces in the Mets. Coming off the Yankees, he had his former teammate, Juan Soto, in the lineup. Adding to the list, Holmes has worked with manager Carlos Mendoza and assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel in the past. So, naturally, Holmes could picture him playing for the Mets.

In fact, it was easier for Holmes, as he didn’t have to leave New York City. He finds solace in the Big Apple.