Clay Holmes is trusting that Mets officials have a grand plan this offseason that will explain the roster’s makeover.
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After the departure of three core teammates in recent weeks, the veteran right-hander on Thursday indicated he’s looking forward to seeing what materializes over the remainder of the winter.
So far, president of baseball operations David Stearns has traded Brandon Nimmo and allowed Pete Alonso and Edwin Dìaz to depart through free agency.
“Those aren’t easy decisions,” Holmes said after appearing as Santa Claus at the Mets’ holiday party at Citi Field. “I don’t really know all the details behind the scenes, but to make those decisions there’s got to be some type of growth, and sometimes it can be a little bit uncomfortable, and I guess you have to trust kind of the direction they are wanting to go.”
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The new Mets include Marcus Semien — who arrived from Texas in the Nimmo trade — and free-agent arrivals Jorge Polanco, Devin Williams and Luke Weaver.
Holmes shared a bullpen with Weaver with the Yankees in 2024 and said he was in contact with the right-hander before he agreed Wednesday to a two-year contract worth $22 million with the Mets.
Clay Holmes speaks after the New York Mets Annual Kids Holiday Party. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Weaver was supposed to have a Zoom conversation with Mets officials Wednesday, according to Holmes, but before that meeting occurred texted Holmes to say he had already agreed verbally to a contract with the club.
“Things kind of went fast for him,” Holmes said. “There’s a lot of things he really liked and I am happy to have a friend here and just really happy that things worked out for him.”
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Holmes also mentioned Semien and Williams when asked what resonated with him regarding the new arrivals.
New York Yankees pitcher Luke Weaver throws a pitch against the Blue Jays. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
“Semien has been a great player in the league for a while,” Holmes said. “A lot of experience. You hear about just kind of his presence and who he is and his leadership and obviously a great defensive player and he’s had a lot of success in the box.
“Devin Williams has been one of the best relievers in the game for the last five years. … You can definitely see they are trying to put something great together, and sometimes you have got to wait, and it’s not about how fast you can get things done, but it’s about how many games we win in September next year and put us in the best position to be successful in the postseason.”
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Holmes was a bright spot for the Mets last season, pitching to a 3.63 ERA in 33 appearances (31 of which were starts) after converting from a reliever. He will return to an unsettled rotation that, for now at least, includes Kodai Senga, David Peterson and Sean Manaea, in addition to rookies Nolan McLean, Brandon Sproat and Jonah Tong. Another young starter in the mix, Christian Scott, is returning from Tommy John surgery rehab.
“We have a lot of really good pitchers and I think the rotation last year, there were definitely some good moments,” Holmes said. “There were some moments where we probably could have been a little bit better, done a little more. Going to the offseason, it’s not like we have to become something we’re not, but I think there is a drive there to do some things a little bit better.
“I think having the talent that we have and having some competition only makes people better. Things always shake out the way they are supposed to be, and a lot of players know that … I think a lot of us in the rotation, if we can take a step forward, then it’s really going to help the team out.”