Inside the Mets' Clay Holmes trade market as contenders line up

Key Points:

• New York Mets right-hander Clay Holmes is expected to have a strong trade market despite concerns about his recovery from a fractured right fibula, as he recently pitched four shutout innings in Single-A St. Lucie with solid velocity.
• Several contending teams, including the Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Philadelphia Phillies, attended Holmes' recent start, indicating significant interest in acquiring him.
• The White Sox are actively seeking starting pitching reinforcements, while the Rays and Dodgers have interest in other pitchers like Tarik Skubal and Freddy Peralta, with the Dodgers' need increasing due to Shohei Ohtani's uncertain availability.
• The Milwaukee Brewers are a logical fit for Holmes given their defensive strengths and pitching needs, although skepticism remains about a potential trade reunion involving Freddy Peralta.
• Holmes is earning $13 million this season with a $12 million player option for 2027, but an extension with the Mets appears unlikely, making him one of the top pitchers available on the trade market as the deadline approaches.