Clay Memories

[Edgy MD]

The general memory is what a definitive side of the plus ledger for the Stearns era this guy was.  His success as a starter was gradual, but it sure smashes the notion that once a pitcher is thrown down the reliever chute, he is done as a starter for his career.

Too bad the Mets learned that lesson too late to do right by the likes of Seth Lugo, Aaron Heilman, and no doubt many more.

The specific memory is the ball going clang off his leg, and him still pursuing it.  He looked better with the beard.

[Gwreck]

Despite having increased his innings total by 100 over the prior year, he was there to throw 6 shutout innings in the penultimate game of the 2025 season to keep the Mets alive for another day.

 

[The Hot Corner]

Hate to see him go.  I am hoping Rojas eventually makes me forget about Clay.

Wish him well with the Cubs (especially against the Dodgers).

[ashie62]

Clay did everything the Mets asked of him and did it well. Best of luck Clay

[seawolf17]

I had very low expectations. I honestly thought it was a very risky signing, expecting him to move seamlessly in to a key spot in the rotation after being a short man. But he was really excellent here.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

He sort of proved that starters are more valuable than relievers

[Benjamin Grimm]

[Edgy MD]

AT HOLMES IN QUEENS deserves negative points.

[metirish]

Very impressed with him and his transition back to starter, had some command issues at times but was always available in 25 

[Cowtipper]

A legitimately pleasant surprise. Holmes and Griffin Canning both got off to wonderful starts last year. Canning fell off, as was inevitable, but Holmes just kept on trucking. I wasn't sure if he'd be able to transition to starting, but he did and he did so with flying colors. Invariably the Mets' best and most consistent starter of 2025. 

2025 Holmes was a pitcher of the 2024 Severino-Manaea-Quintana mold. Not stellar, but steady. I'd rather have three Holmes instead of one superstar and two mediocre guys like Megill. 

He finishes his Mets career with a 16-12, 3.26 line.

[MFS62]

I was impressed how well he hade the transition from reliever back to starter.  Cowtipper said he was "not stellar, but steady." I think he was a little better than that.

I wish him well.

Later