Red Sox Among Chief Suitors For Mets' Clay Holmes

[Steve Drumwright]

One of the more coveted arms at the trade deadline hasn't pitched in an MLB game since mid-May. That is not stopping contenders from pursuing New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes.

According to multiple reports, including Ari Alexander of Boston TV station WHDH, the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox are among the chief competitors for the right-handed starter. Holmes has been out since taking a line drive off his right leg, resulting in a fractured right fibula May 15.

But Holmes made what was expected to be a final rehab appearance Sunday at High A, pitching 5⅓ innings (73 pitches) and allowing four runs, three earned. He was a bright spot in a dismal Mets season before going down, posting a 3.21 FIP (2.39 ERA) in nine starts and 52⅔ innings, with an 8.4% walk rate and 20.9% strikeout rate.

Holmes is being paid $13 million this year (about $3.8 million remaining) and $12 million next year. That plus the number of suitors means Holmes will come at a decent prospect cost.

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[JoeBrady]

I like Holmes fine.  My question is, 'who goes down if we acquire him?'.  I like all 13 pitchers, a lot.  Demoting some of the kids for 2 weeks at a time might work, so long as they understand we are saving them for October (hopefully).

[SoxPhan]

I'd rather pay much less for Singer.

[5GoldGlovesOF,75]

If he hasn't pitched since mid-May he'd be a perfect Red Sox trade target: currently on the IL, but because it was a broken leg, we'd be getting a well-rested healthy arm for the stretch drive. And a proven big league pitcher, not a callow call-up on pitch-limit restrictions and blinded by the bright lights, wrapped up like a deuce or three for a slider, four for a change-up, five for a sweeper.

[moonslav59]

20 minutes ago, JoeBrady said:

I like Holmes fine.  My question is, 'who goes down if we acquire him?'.  I like all 13 pitchers, a lot.  Demoting some of the kids for 2 weeks at a time might work, so long as they understand we are saving them for October (hopefully).

We may give Tolle  a few starts off to limit his IP. but shutting him down totally is risky. Do we demote him to make roster space.

Bennett is about the same. Is the plan to demote him and Tolle for 10 days  each to get is near the Sept call-up date?

[JoeBrady]

17 hours ago, moonslav59 said:

We may give Tolle  a few starts off to limit his IP. but shutting him down totally is risky.

I remember the NYY doing that with Joba in 2009-pitching him 3 IPs per start.  Innings limits are tricky stuff.

[moonslav59]

1 minute ago, JoeBrady said:

I remember the NYY doing that with Joba in 2009-pitching him 3 IPs per start.  Innings limits are tricky stuff.

Probably the best idea, and having Bello to relieve him could be a great set-up.

Bennett might be trickier, as having two starters scheduled to go 3 IP can be taxing.

[JoeBrady]

1 hour ago, moonslav59 said:

Probably the best idea, and having Bello to relieve him could be a great set-up.

Bennett might be trickier, as having two starters scheduled to go 3 IP can be taxing.

I'd go the minor league route, as you had mentioned earlier.  Demote them for 10 days each and let them miss a start or two.  Have Bello do his bulk reliever thing maybe twice for each.  That takes us to September when we can review the status of Crochet and where we are in the standings.  There's no doubt in my mind that B&B have reviewed this and have a plan.

[moonslav59]

22 hours ago, JoeBrady said:

I'd go the minor league route, as you had mentioned earlier.  Demote them for 10 days each and let them miss a start or two.  Have Bello do his bulk reliever thing maybe twice for each.  That takes us to September when we can review the status of Crochet and where we are in the standings.  There's no doubt in my mind that B&B have reviewed this and have a plan.

They need to start soon on innings limits, no matter how they decide to do it. We need to also plan on saving some innings for October, of hope Crochet, Houck, Crawford or Oviedo can be in form by then and step in. Of course, only 3.5 to 4 SP'ers are needed for the playoffs, so that can help.