Why not keeping Clay Holmes is a mistake by the Mets
Plus, some quick thoughts on Freddy Peralta, Kodai Senga, and Francisco Lindor as the Mets lose to Miami...
What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾️
The Mets lost 5-2 to the Marlins on Friday night at Citi Field with the series now even (box)
After RHP Freddy Peralta was scratched with a trade seemingly imminent, RHP Kodai Senga got the start and was strong to begin with before eventually fading. In all, Senga allowed three earned runs on two hits with two walks and four strikeouts over four innings
RHP Xzavion Curry entered in relief and pitched the remaining five innings, giving up two earned runs on six hits with one strikeout
LF A.J. Ewing recorded an RBI single in the fifth inning and SS Francisco Lindor hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to represent the only runs of the game for the Mets
The Mets struggled offensively again - they’ve now scored just nine runs in their last four games combined - striking out a total of 12 times while going 2-for-6 with scorers in running position
The Mets will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1986 World Series champions today with a pre-game ceremony. Fans who are attending are being asked to be in their seats by 3:30 PM EDT.
Roster Moves 📰
LHP Cionel Pérez placed on the 15-Day IL, retroactive to July 30, with a left forearm strain
RHP Jonathan Pintaro and RHP Xzavion Curry recalled from Triple-A Syracuse
Injury Updates 🏥
RHP Clay Holmes (fractured right fibula) threw a side session at Citi Field prior to Friday’s game and is set to start on Sunday. Whether that is in the big leagues has yet to be determined
Rumor Mill 💨
Several teams are in the mix for Freddy Peralta as trade talks intensify, including the Cubs and the Rays (NY Post)
The Mets are asking teams for a Top 100 prospect and more back in any potential trade for Peralta (The Athletic)
The Mets are getting interest still in Francisco Alvarez, but it is unlikely that they will trade the catcher due to still liking his potential (NY Post)
With teams desperate for a righty bat, Luis Robert Jr. hasn’t done his value any harm with his recent performances (NY Post)
The Brewers are showing strong interest in Luke Weaver, while the Pirates are also said to be keen on the reliever (The Athletic)
With no extension talks ongoing, it is likely that Clay Holmes will get dealt with starting pitching in high demand (NY Post)
Play of the Game 🙃
While Kodai Senga was great for the majority of his start on Friday, especially when you consider the circumstances, he was pulled after the wheels started to fall off.
Xzavion Curry was called upon to come in and settle things down, but he gave up a single to Joe Mack that plated a pair of runs in the fifth inning.
Those runs were ultimately charged to Senga, but that’s just simple accounting; the result stayed the same. The Marlins stretched out their lead, and with the Mets doing nothing offensively, those two runs proved crucial in the overall tenor of the game.
The Just Mets Podcast 🎙️
ICYMI: On the latest edition of the Just Mets Podcast, Andrew was joined by Alex Cintron to discuss Carlos Beltran’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
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Down on the Farm 🌾
SS Zack Short (Triple-A): 2-for-3, 1 BB
2B Mitch Voit (No. 5 prospect, Double-A): 2-for-4, 1 BB
DH Chris Suero (No. 13 prospect, Double-A): 2-for-5, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR
C Kevin Parada (Double-A: 2-for-5, 2 RBIs, 1 2B
3B Nick Lorusso (Double-A): 2-for-5, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 HR
OF Randy Guzman (No. 21 prospect, High-A): 2-for-4, 1 RBI
RHP Ethan Lanthier (Single-A): 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 1 K
BOX SCORES
Single-A SLU | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR
Today’s Game 🗓
Match-up: Mets (47-64) vs. Marlins (56-55)
Where: Citi Field - Flushing, NY
Starters: LHP Zac Thornton (2-1, 2.43 ERA) vs. RHP Tyler Phillips (2-5, 3.52 ERA)
When: 4:10 PM EDT
Where to Watch: SNY
Trading Clay Holmes really isn’t a smart move by the Mets, plus some other thoughts ✍️
A few things before I get to what I really want to discuss today.
Firstly, I’m kind of shocked that Freddy Peralta is still a Met given that he was scratched from Friday’s start. With all the rumors doing the rounds Friday, I for sure thought he was going to get dealt last night at some point. Still, I’d be even more shocked if his eventual departure leads to the Mets getting their desired asking price of a Top 100 prospect and more back in return.
Sure, I get that starting pitching is in demand, and I’m also aware that Peralta still has plenty of value despite his struggles in Queens this year. After all, there are few things more common in sports than a team that believes they are the ones to fix another team’s broken mess.
However, if you are a true contender looking for a stud for the rotation to help author a deep postseason run, and you are being asked to give up a lot for Peralta, would you just not pivot and give up the extra assets needed to trade for Tarik Skubal from the Tigers instead? Would that not be the smarter play? Maybe I’m being dumb, but given the other options out there, I’m skeptical of the Mets’ hopes of actually getting something back truly substantial for Peralta.
Secondly, I don’t understand anyone who is getting giddy after Kodai Senga’s start last night, and that includes interim manager Andy Green and SNY. Yes, Senga should be commended for stepping in at the last minute and looking sharp out of the gate having not stepped on the mound in 13 days. However, the wheels did eventually fall off, and we’ve also been here too many times before with Senga. We’ve seen flashes, only for then the car crash to happen immediately after. A few strong innings aren’t enough to convince me that he’s all of a sudden fixed himself.
Lastly, while the offense was a no-show again on Friday, there was a significant moment for Francisco Lindor. He hit his 150th home run as a Met, climbing into seventh place in the franchise’s all-time home run list. And it reminded me why the discourse over Lindor over the last few weeks has been so stupid. He’s been an important player for this franchise on and off the field, and some people seem to have conveniently downplayed the impact of his injuries this year. He has started to figure things out, and I still strongly believe that he should be considered a key part of this team in 2027 and beyond. I don’t think he’s close to being done yet. And I also don’t think you can discount just how much the toll of losing, coupled with being ousted as the face of the franchise by Juan Soto, has probably worn on Lindor. He deserves more respect from this fanbase.
Okay, after those mini tangents, let’s talk about Clay Holmes.
Given all the latest reporting, it does seem almost certain at this point that Holmes will be dealt by the Trade Deadline with extension talks currently nonexistent.
If that does indeed prove to be the case, then I think that’s a massive mistake by the Mets.
Look, I realize that Holmes could get the Mets a lot back in return given that he’s attracting a ton of interest. But I just don’t think letting a reliable starter go is the correct move by this team.
I also know that some of you probably think I’m talking out of both sides of my mouth here given my stance on Luke Weaver. And you probably have a point. But I think the big difference here is that Weaver is more easily replaceable. Good relievers are a lot easier to find than reliable starters. Plus, relievers are just more volatile and there is no guarantee that even the good ones will be great year on year. I know there is always the injury risk with starting pitchers but, again, building a bullpen is more straightforward compared to trying to construct a rotation.
Personally, I would keep Weaver too, but he probably represents the Mets’ only real chance of getting something decent back in a trade. Holmes does too, but his value as a starter outweighs any potential pieces the team may get back in return.
Prior to getting hurt, he pitched to a 2.39 ERA with a 1.10 WHIP over 52.2 innings. He struck out 20.9% of the hitters he faced, while walking 8.4%. Crucially, he also showed an ability to pitch into the sixth inning and beyond, something most other Mets starters have failed to do over the last couple of years.
Furthermore, when looking ahead, not only would keeping and extending Holmes give the Mets a trusted and proven arm at the heart of the rotation, it would also provide some much-needed veteran experience. If the Mets go forward in 2027 with a rotation led by Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, Zac Thornton, and either Jonah Tong or Jack Wenninger, then Holmes would prove to be the perfect anchor and mentor for that group. He could help lead that young group on and off the field and be the kind of key veteran presence every young player needs.
It isn’t like the Mets have hit it out of the park with starters under David Stearns. Ironically, signing Holmes and then turning him into a starter has been one of Stearns’ best moves to date, and it confuses me as to why Stearns now wouldn’t want to extend Holmes when he’s struggled to build a rotation during his time in Queens.
I’m fighting a losing battle here I know, because Holmes being traded seems a foregone conclusion. But, given how important starting pitching is, I will never buy into the thought process of not keeping Holmes given everything he’s shown he’s capable of as a starter.
Around the League 🚩
The Twins remained busy on the buying front, trading for Orioles RHP Dean Kremer in exchange for Minor League OF Jhomnardo Reyes (MLB.com)
The Orioles also signed RHP Yennier Cano to a two-year extension, with a club option for the 2029 season (MLB.com)
The Giants announced that they will suspend payments to OF Harrison Bader following his scooter accident, while there remains “long-term concerns” over his foot (NBC Sports Bay Area)
DH Shohei Ohtani hit a two-run homer upon his return to the lineup, although the Dodgers lost 9-4 to the Red Sox thanks to Boston’s five-run seventh inning
Tigers OF Max Clark had an MLB debut to remember with three hits, a RBI, and a run scored in Detroit’s 13-1 win over the A’s
3B Junior Caminero became just the fourth player in Rays’ franchise history to record multiple 30-homer seasons after going long in a 6-1 loss to the White Sox
Orioles SS Gunnar Henderson hit a go-ahead two-run triple to lift Baltimore to a 6-4 win over the Phillies
"And I also don’t think you can discount just how much the toll of losing, coupled with being ousted as the face of the franchise by Juan Soto, has probably worn on Lindor." Unless you're LIndor's therapist, you don't know if Soto's arrival wears him down, eats at him constantly, or something in between. It may be that he's not the slightest bit bothered about who holds the imaginary title of "face of the franchise". I do think it's likely that he's only had what's called a down year. We'll find out in 2027.