Holmes has won a save in all but one of his opportunities this season, allowing no earned runs while striking out 12 in 12 innings. He’s throwing better than ever in his eighth big-league season, and if the Yankees offer him a four-year, $52 million agreement, Tim Britton of The Athletic predicts.
However, Bob Klapsich, an MLB columnist for the Newark Star-Ledger, says there is no likelihood of that happening.
“This much is certain: Holmes won’t be hearing from the Yankees before season’s end,” he wrote. “Club policy dictates that very few players receive early extensions. Holmes should not take it personally.”
The New York Yankees might lose reliever Clay Holmes after the season.
If Holmes does test free agency at the end of a career-best season, he will have plenty of suitors. As a result, his time with the Yankees could be coming to an end.
“Clay Holmes, the Yankees’ dominant closer, could soon hit the open market, casting a cloud of uncertainty over the team’s bullpen situation in the looming offseason,” Sara Molnick said in a piece for Pinstripes Nation “While Clay Holmes’ contributions to the Yankees have been undeniable, the lack of contract discussions thus far suggests a potential parting of ways come the offseason.”
Klapisch ruled out an extension based on the Yankees’ operating strategy, with major owner Hal Steinbrenner telling reporters in 2010 that he does not “believe in contract extensions, and that’s throughout the organization, no matter who it is.”
The Yankees did extend closer Aroldis Chapman in 2020, but they may have regretted it when his performance dipped.
Klapsich predicted that the Yankees would re-sign Holmes on a short-term basis, although he questioned that due to Holmes’ age.
“If history teaches us anything, GM Brian Cashman will encourage Holmes to gauge his value externally,” Klapsich said. “The right-hander will respond with a number. The Yankees may then begin discussing a short-term deal. But only if Cashman and his analytics team believe Holmes can keep the bite on his sinker for another 2-3 seasons.
Clay Holmes says he is focused on winning with the New York Yankees before free agency.
For his part, Holmes’ best option is to continue pitching at an elite level, forcing the Yankees to consider the repercussions of losing him. In recent comments, the pitcher indicated that this will remain his primary emphasis.
“I’ve got a lot of good relationships here with coaches and players, and I’m just enjoying that and being where I am right now,” he told The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty. “When the day comes that I’m no longer a Yankee, we’ll discuss where that goes. But this is where I am, and I plan to help us win as many games as possible.”
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