Clay Holmes' Potential Landing Spots Include Yankees, Dodgers in New MLB Trade Rumors on Mets SP

The New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers are among seven teams who have reportedly scouted New York Mets starting pitcher Clay Holmes, who is rehabbing a fractured right fibula suffered in mid-May, in advance of Monday's trade deadline.

Will Sammon, Ken Rosenthal and Katie Woo of The Athletic reported the latest on the Holmes front amid a larger piece about MLB trade deadline happenings around the league.

"According to two executives who watched his latest rehab appearance on Tuesday night, Mets starter and trade candidate Clay Holmes 'looked big-league ready.'

"Scouts from the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Tampa Bay Rays, Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Arizona Diamondbacks were among those who flocked to Dunedin, Fla., to evaluate Holmes, out since mid-May after a fibula fracture.

"Pitching for Single-A St. Lucie, Holmes threw four scoreless innings and 59 pitches. His next start lines up for Aug. 2, one day before the trade deadline. It's not known whether that start will be for the Mets or someone else."

Holmes has made nine MLB starts this season, going 4-4 with a 2.39 ERA. He's struck out 45 batters over 52.2 innings.

The nine-year veteran served as a reliever for the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees from 2018-2024. He broke out with the Yankees in 2021, posting a 1.61 ERA in 25 appearances. Holmes was also the Yankees' closer from 2022-2024, making the All-Star team in 2022 and 2024.

In 2025, Holmes signed a two-year, $26 million contract (plus a $12 million player option for 2027) with the New York Mets to be a starting pitcher. He handled the transition well, going 12-8 with a 3.53 ERA in 33 games (31 starts) while striking out 129 batters in 165.2 innings.

Holmes continued his good run as a starter in 2026, so it's easy to see why teams are interested in him.

The last-place Mets, who have a 46-62 record, are struggling through a rough season that should feature them being sellers at the trade deadline. Per SNY's Chelsea Janes, the Mets told teams earlier this month that everyone but Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing, Christian Scott, Nolan McLean and Juan Soto are available.

Therefore, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Holmes head to a playoff contender soon enough.