Clay Holmes got both of his free agency wishes with Mets deal

The last time Clay Holmes started a major league game came at the end of the 2018 season, his rookie year with the Pirates. 

Since then, the right-hander moved to the bullpen, was traded to the Yankees and became a two-time All-Star in The Bronx. 

But when he became a free agent for the first time, Holmes had another goal in mind — which is how he ended up signing a three-year, $38 million deal to go across town to the Mets as a starter. 

After toying with a changeup and four-seamer in bullpens during last season, Holmes, who has relied on a terrific slider as a reliever, said his desire to return to starting “has always been there.” 

“Early in the offseason, I met with a few teams that had some interest and it opened the door for more serious conversations,’’ Holmes said. “I didn’t want to look back at the end of my career and say, ‘Man, what could have come of that?’ Deep down, I had a passion for it.” 

His opportunity will come in Queens for a Mets team in need of starters. 

Holmes’ sinker usage decreased each of the past three seasons with the Yankees, from a career-high 80.1 percent in 2022 to 56.3 percent this past season. 

He struggled for part of the second half, which cost Holmes his closer spot, but he’ll find himself in a much different position with the Mets, where he’ll be playing for ex-Yankee bench coach Carlos Mendoza and with Juan Soto, his former teammate in The Bronx. 

“I got to see one year of what he’s capable of and it’s incredible,” Holmes said of Soto. “Deep down, I can’t lie, I made my decision because I think it’s the best place, but hopefully [I thought] maybe Juan sees this and sees the water’s fine and heads over here.” 

Holmes and the Mets got their wish, but they’ll need more than Soto to get to where they want to go. 

There are plenty of question marks in the rotation, where Kodai Senga is now backed up by newly signed Frankie Montas, as well as Tylor Megill, David Peterson and perhaps Paul Blackburn. 

So the Mets took a risk on Holmes, who turns 32 in March and has never pitched more than 70 innings in a major league season. 

Holmes, though, does not expect any strict limitations. 

Instead of innings limits, the Mets will monitor pitchers’ strength, mobility and other factors. 

“It’s hard to put arbitrary numbers on things,” Holmes said. “My intention going in is to throw 160 innings. I want to throw as many innings as I can. I want to do that safely. … I don’t want to put a cap on it.” 

He’ll also be working with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, as well as new assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel, who also came over from the Yankees this offseason. Holmes praised Druschel’s ability to deal with pitchers’ workloads. 

The real test will be how Holmes handles going through lineups multiple times. 

That’s why his repertoire will have to change. 

Other former relievers, such as Seth Lugo, Reynaldo Lopez and Garrett Crochet, have thrived as starters in recent years. 

Holmes said he’s working out with Crochet, just traded from the White Sox to Boston, this offseason. 

And Holmes noted that although they’re throwing a wider variety of pitches, most still go to their best pitch the most often. 

“The challenge for me is to continue to keep it simple,’’ Holmes said. “My sinker development since I last started is night and day, so it adds to its potential. I can’t forget that: My sinker is my best pitch and when it’s there, you can rely on it in different situations.” 

The Mets are counting on it — and Holmes — more than ever.