The New York Mets’ experiment with Clay Holmes is working swimmingly so far.
And the bullpen he left behind — across town in the Bronx — is still in flux.
Holmes has made the transition from closer to starter look easy, going 3-1 with a 2.64 ERA in six outings. That’s helped the Mets surge to baseball’s best record despite injuries elsewhere in the rotation and a pedestrian start by Juan Soto.
Soto is batting .248 with three home runs, and he’s not the only high-priced addition to the Mets who hasn’t peaked yet. Frankie Montas hasn’t thrown a pitch, and reliever A.J. Minter just joined him on the injured list. Sean Manaea, who came back to the Mets with a $75 million, three-year contract, hasn’t pitched yet either because of an oblique strain.
But Holmes, who saved 30 games for the New York Yankees last year before signing a $38 million, three-year deal with the Mets, has been a solid addition. Despite the injuries to Montas and Manaea, New York boasts a major league-best 2.36 ERA from its starters. Kodai Senga has a 1.26 ERA, and Tylor Megill (1.74), Griffin Canning (3.12) and David Peterson (3.29) have done their part as well.