Could Clay Holmes Transition to a Starting Role?

As free agency heats up, one of the top bullpen arms drawing significant attention is right-handed pitcher Clay Holmes. Known for his effective relief work, Holmes is now being eyed by a few teams as a potential candidate for a starting rotation role. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the New York Mets are among the teams considering Holmes for this transition.

The concept of converting relievers to starters has gained traction in recent years, with several teams finding success with this approach. The Tampa Bay Rays, for example, have effectively transitioned pitchers like Drew Rasmussen, Jeffrey Springs, and Zack Littell into starting roles. Similarly, the New York Yankees experimented with Michael King as a starter towards the end of the 2023 season, leading to an impressive full season in the rotation for the Padres.

Free agency has also seen this trend, with teams stretching newly signed relievers into starting roles. The San Diego Padres' decision to sign Seth Lugo as a starter in 2023 proved successful, culminating in a second-place finish in Cy Young voting for the Royals. The Atlanta Braves and San Francisco Giants made similar moves with Reynaldo López and Jordan Hicks, respectively, with López delivering a standout performance for the Braves.

The potential benefits of converting Holmes to a starter are considerable. Despite the inherent risks of moving a successful reliever into a new role, the rewards can be substantial. Even if the experiment does not yield the desired results, as seen with A.J. Puk's stint with the Marlins, the pitcher can often revert to a bullpen role without major issues.

Holmes, who turns 32 on Opening Day, has minimal experience as a starting pitcher at the major league level. His brief stint as a starter with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018 resulted in mixed results over a small sample size. However, his extensive experience as a minor league starter provides a foundation for this potential transition.

​With teams increasingly willing to explore such conversions, Holmes represents a fascinating case. Whether he remains in the bullpen or transitions to the rotation, his next steps will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. The upside of a successful move to the starting rotation could significantly enhance his value and impact on the field.