The Cubs are acquiring pitcher Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the Mets for infield prospect Jefferson Rojas, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman notes that the deal is pending medical review.
Holmes, 33, pitched to a sterling 2.39 ERA for the Mets across nine starts before suffering a fractured fibula from a Spencer Jones line drive in mid-May. The veteran sinkerballer inked a three-year, $38MM pact with the Mets in December 2024, though he has the ability to opt out of the $12MM he’s owed in 2027.
Holmes seized the opportunity to return to rotation work upon signing with the Mets, authoring a successful 2025 season in which he posted a 3.53 ERA in 165 2/3 frames. Assuming a successful return from his fibula fracture, Holmes will surely exercise that opt-out. He’s made a trio of rehab starts thus far.
In throwing a sinker more than half the time, Holmes’ 55.8% groundball rate since 2025 ranks fifth among qualified starters. He’s not particularly adept at missing bats or limiting walks, but he naturally limits the longball and posts low barrel rates.
With a pitching staff decimated by injuries this year, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer has racked up key additions in the last few days. Holmes and yesterday’s pickup Kevin Gausman are both rentals who will slot in toward the front of the team’s rotation alongside Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd. Offseason pickup Edward Cabrera is working his way back from a hamstring injury, and Ben Brown may yet return from a stress reaction in his neck. While Cade Horton is out for the season, Justin Steele may return in a relief role. David Peterson and Colin Rea provide added depth. Braxton Garrett, also acquired today, may snag some starts as well.
The Cubs’ rotation is not exactly fearsome, but the reinforcements will be welcome. At 6.5 games out in the NL Central, the Cubs are unlikely to run down the Brewers but do hold a strong chance of maintaining a wild card spot. Hoyer also made a major bullpen addition today, acquiring strikeout artist Ryan Zeferjahn from the Angels.
The Cubs also pick up Taylor, a 32-year-old right-handed hitter who’s been with the Mets since 2024. The speedy Taylor can handle all three outfield positions and has shown above-average defensive chops prior to this year. He’s surged to an unexpected 117 wRC+ in 159 plate appearances this year, largely on the strength of ten home runs. Taylor has hit southpaws well this year, though it’s only been 77 PA. Ian Happ has been particularly bad against lefties this year, so perhaps Taylor will steal a few at-bats there. Both outfielders will be eligible for free agency after the season, as will Seiya Suzuki.
More to come…
