Clay Holmes, the Mets’ 32-year-old right-hander, said he felt a twinge of sadness as three key players left the club, but he remains confident in the front office’s direction.
Mets Departures
During the 2025 season, three long-time Mets stars departed:
- Pete Alonso – signed a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles.
- Edwin Díaz – signed a three-year, $69 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 2024 World Series champions.
- Brendan Nimmo – traded to the Texas Rangers for All-Star second baseman Marcus Semien.
“It’s a little sad seeing those guys go. They’re great players. They’ve been great Mets for a long time, really connected with the fan base,” Holmes told reporters at Citi Field after his Santa Claus appearance at the team’s holiday party.
Front-Office Retooling
After failing to reach the playoffs, the Mets’ front office has been actively retooling. The organization secured:
- Devin Williams – a three-year, $51 million contract.
- Jorge Polanco – a two-year, $40 million agreement.
- Luke Weaver – a pending two-year, $22 million deal.
“To make those big decisions, I’m sure there’s got to be some type of – some growth had, and sometimes it can be a little bit uncomfortable,” Holmes said. “I guess you just have to trust the direction they’re wanting to go.”
Holmes’ Role in the Holiday Party
On Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, Holmes donned Santa Claus at the Mets’ annual kids holiday party. He was joined by his wife, Ashlyn, who played Mrs. Santa, and rookie pitchers Jonah Tong, Nolan McLean, and Brandon Sproat, all in green elf outfits.
“This is a first for me,” Sproat said. “I don’t know how I look in it, probably ridiculous, but it’s pretty warm.”
Holmes credited Mets’ manager of team travel Edgar Suero for recruiting him and his wife for the role. “So now I know my go-to if I want to convince her to do something,” Holmes said with a smile.
Holmes’ 2025 Season Performance
Holmes entered his second season with the Mets after leaving the Yankees. He agreed to a $38 million, three-year contract last December and moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation.
- Overall record: 12-8
- ERA: 3.53
- Starts: 31
- Innings pitched: 165 2/3 (95 2/3 more than his previous big-league high)
He experienced a slump from July 2 through Aug. 12, posting a 1-2 record and a 5.45 ERA over eight starts.
“There was maybe a couple moments where I just felt some of the accumulation of the workload and stuff, but I think the biggest positive for me was I was able to kind of adjust to it and kind of come out on the other side pretty strong,” Holmes said. “I liked the way things finished.”
Holmes also discussed Weaver’s signing process: Weaver began exchanging texts with Holmes ahead of a Zoom meeting with the Mets scheduled for Wednesday. Then Weaver texted Holmes again before the Zoom. “He said, ‘Well I just decided – I kind of verbally agreed to it,'” Holmes recalled.
Key Takeaways
- Three long-time Mets stars – Alonso, Díaz, and Nimmo – have left the club, signing with Baltimore, Los Angeles, and Texas respectively.
- The front office is retooling, bringing in Williams, Polanco, and Weaver to bolster the roster.
- Holmes, now a starter, has adjusted to a heavier workload and remains optimistic about the team’s direction.
Holmes expressed that while it’s a little sad to see beloved teammates depart, he trusts the Mets’ strategy and looks forward to the next season with new additions from the Yankees.
Closing
As the Mets head into the 2025 season, Clay Holmes remains a steady presence both on the mound and in the clubhouse, balancing his newfound role as a starter with his duties as Santa Claus at the holiday party. Despite the departures of key players, he maintains faith in the front office’s plans and looks ahead to a refreshed roster that includes former Yankees closers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver.
