“I am tired of all this bullshit. I am done with the drama, the politics, and the constant stress of being part of this team.” With this statement, Clay Holmes left the Bronx. Then, the former New York Yankees closer shocked MLB by signing a three-year, $37 million contract with the Mets. His departure was not just related to money—it was a statement.

The right-handed pitcher needed a fresh start without any relentless force that came with being a Yankee.

Clay Holmes did not just walk away—he ensured everyone understood why. Being a closer in the Yankees is tough. However, it was not just the role. The continuous comparisons to Mariano Rivera and the intense scrutiny made it impossible for him to thrive. “Being a closer in New York and not being Mariano Rivera is a nightmare,” Holmes mentioned. Hence, he decided to choose the best path for his career.

The 2-time MLB All-Star did not want to be boxed into one role. “If I am going to expand my arsenal a little bit and there is an opportunity here, man, let’s go for it.” For a sinker who averaged 96.6 mph in 2024, the Mets provided that opportunity. The team’s analytical approach to pitching fits his aim. Now, he is transitioning into a starting role – something he had begun preparing for in his final months with the New York Yankees. He is refining his mechanics by adding a four-seam fastball.

The Mets believe in his power.

And so far, Clay Holmes has proved that his decision was related to unlocking his full power. His spring training performance has been a statement. Over 9 2/3 scoreless innings, he has struck out 13 while enabling just two hits and four walks. He is successfully mixing his pitches, highlighting that he is more than just a bullpen star. On Sunday, he threw 67 pitches. This was his highest total in years—highlighting Holmes’ endurance as a starter.

Carlos Mendoza acknowledged the adjustment, saying that Holmes is learning to get through innings no matter whether his best pitch is working or not. If he continues this trajectory, the Mets could have landed the unexpected rotation upgrade of the season.

The New York Yankees’ exodus

Holmes’ departure is not an isolated case. Juan Soto’s exit is another instance. The Bronx has always struggled to retain talent. Even though the New York Yankees identified Soto as the face of their lineup, he signed a massive 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets. The 5-time Silver Slugger Award winner’s departure was not just related to money. Darryl Strawberry, former MLB star highlighted that Soto thought to escape the shadows of Aaron Judge. Seems like the team’s culture did not provide the environment he needed to thrive.

The situation is coarse for the team. Their wave of injuries has threatened their 2025 campaign too.

Gerrit Cole, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, is out after Tommy John surgery. After that, Luis Gil, with a stellar 2024 will miss at least three months due to lat strain. Then, there is Giancarlo Stanton, who played 114 games last season while slashing .233/ .298/.476 remains an uncertainty because of recurring elbow injuries. And DJ LeMahieu, once a vital talent of their lineup, is now 36 and coming off a season where he posted a career-worst 0.204 batting average.

While the team tried to counter the losses by adding Max Fried, Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt, each move came with an issue.

Fried is dominant when healthy, but was limited to just 174.1 IP in 2024. Bellinger, despite his resurgence in 2024, has struggled with consistency since his MVP year in 2019. And Goldschmidt, at 37, is far from his MVP form.

So, can these additions truly offset the talent lost?

The team needs to ask itself why top talent is choosing to go elsewhere. Because clearly, it is not just related to money. Stars need a culture where they can succeed without any drama. If the New York Yankees do not address this, they risk losing their identity as the elite place for MLB stars.

Do you think Clay Holmes’ decision was justified?