New Mets Rumors on Clay Holmes Contract Talks amid Trade Buzz Ahead of 2026 MLB Deadline

Clay Holmes could be on the move ahead of Monday's MLB trade deadline.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Thursday that the pitcher and New York Mets "presumably" will not come to terms on a contract extension because there have been no "ongoing talks."

Heyman added that "in this sellers market, with precious few frontline starters available, this is a big trade piece. Nearly every contender scouted him in rehab game."

This is the final season on Holmes' contract before his $12 million player option for 2027, which means the Mets could look to move him for something in return before he potentially hits free agency during the upcoming offseason.

At 17 games below .500, New York will surely look to be a seller at the deadline.

While Holmes is an elite pitcher when healthy, he hasn't taken the mound in a major league game since May 15 due to a fractured right fibula. That means there will be questions from some suitors, although he made his second rehab start Tuesday for Single-A St. Lucie.

The right-hander struck out three in four shutout innings and looked ready to work his way back to a major league rotation.

It just remains to be seen what rotation he will pitch for when he does return.

With contenders such as the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and others in need of pitching, the Mets could be in an ideal situation in terms of leverage. There aren't that many surefire sellers at the deadline with all but six teams in the entire league within six games of a playoff spot.

And many of those sellers don't have a potentially dominant starter like Holmes to dangle.

The two-time All-Star posted a 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 45 strikeouts in 52.2 innings this season prior to his injury and isn't far removed from back-to-back seasons with a sub-3.00 ERA in 2022 and 2023.

There will surely be a number of interested teams, and it seems like the Mets are on their way to trading him.