The New York Mets had a busy offseason as the team made a splash in free agency. After a surprise run to the NLCS in 2024, the Mets bolstered the roster by signing star right fielder Juan Soto to a $765 million contract that should keep him in New York for the rest of his career.Led by president of baseball operations David Stearns, the Mets also made a less heralded but potentially impactful move by adding former Yankees closer Clay Holmes in free agency. This acquisition was the cause of consternation for a rival GM.

In December, Stearns frustrated at least one other team that had an interest in transitioning Clay Holmes to a starting pitcher,” Will Sammon of The Athletic wrote. “The Mets outbid the other club for the veteran.”

 

New York had shown an early interest in signing Holmes this offseason with the intention of using him as a starting pitcher. The plan made sense as it gave the Mets an opportunity to add a possible top half of the rotation starter for the price of a relief pitcher

The frustration around the Holmes signing stems from the fact that Stearns has serious financial backing from team owner Steve Cohen, allowing him to aggressively pursue players. While Holmes signed for a bargain if the team successfully transitions him to a starter, Stearns still outbid other clubs interested in his services at a reliever price point.

 

The Mets have the highest payroll in baseball. And Cohen’s willingness to spend mixed with Stearns’ ability to use the financial firepower wisely has led to a much improved roster from a season ago when New York played in the NL Championship Series..

MLB rumors: How Mets ‘frustrated at least 1 other team’ by signing ex-Yankees All-Star