Departure Looming: Yankees free agency bound Clay Holmes Says He Can’t ‘Totally Ignore’ Next Deal, Projected at $52 Million
The New York Yankees’ approach to developing their relief corps has been largely payroll-friendly and domestic, and it has proven successful as the team’s bullpen ranks in the top six for 2024 and had the best ERA in MLB last season.
Closer Clay Holmes, who is now tied for the MLB lead in saves but is only making $6 million this season, is a prime example of the outcomes of this strategy. He is also way outside of the top five in terms of contract worth.
But with free agency approaching at the end of the current campaign, as one of the most reliable closers in the league, that is certain to alter with a big new deal. It’s difficult to predict what it would imply for the Yankees’ roster right now.
“No, with free agency approaching in the winter, the Yankees hadn’t approached him this offseason about a potential contract extension,” Brendan Kuty of The Athletic stated. “He’s making every effort to block it out, but he acknowledged that he can’t ‘totally ignore’ its impending arrival.”
Clay Holmes of the New York Yankees might sign a $52 million contract in the offseason.
Tim Britton, Kuty’s colleague, advised the team to “get this deal done now,” estimating that Holmes’ next contract would be worth $52 million over four years.
However, since they signed Aroldis Chapman to a five-year, $86 million contract in 2016, the Yankees haven’t made such large investments in the bullpen. It would be a change from the team’s recent approach to “cycle through relievers without hefty contracts,” as Pete Caldera described it for NorthJersey.com, to sign a premier closer, which Holmes has proven himself to be.
They might, however, be forced to comply with Holmes’ request.
The Yankees would be in a difficult situation without Holmes, Kuty continued. “From their current group of options, it’s unclear who the Yankees would try to insert into the closer role next year. Both Jonathan Loaísiga and Tommy Kahnle will be free agents. The most likely candidate seems to be righty Ian Hamilton, but at 28, he has only pitched in one complete major league season.
Victor Gonzalez, who has recorded two saves this season, Dennis Santana, Caleb Ferguson, and Victor Gonzalez round out the Yankees’ current bullpen. Holmes is expected to be joined in the 2018 free agent class by closers Kenley Jansen, Ryan Pressly, Paul Sewald, and Craig Kimbrel.
Other than Chapman, who might be available as well, Holmes is probably the only closer who is now available and has demonstrated that he can throw for the Yankees, building his repertoire every season. Apart from his preferred sinker, he’s been creating multiple sliders that have significantly contributed to his achievements.
Despite his upcoming free agency, Clay Holmes will concentrate on winning for the New York Yankees.
When the Yankees decide to begin seriously constructing their future bullpen, a lot may happen in the interim. Holmes stated that he is more concerned with the things that brought him this far in life, even though he can’t deny that the largest pay day of his career is only a few months away.
Holmes told Kuty, “I’m just enjoying where I’m at right now, and I’ve got a good relationship here with coaches and players.” We’ll discuss what happens when the time comes for me to no longer be a Yankee. However, I’m going to attempt to help us win as many games as I can from where I am right now.