Certainly, the New York Yankees are focused on acquiring Juan Soto as a free agent, given his outstanding performance and impending free agency. However, there’s another impending free agent on their roster who deserves attention.
The spotlight has been on outfielder Juan Soto, and rightfully so, after the Yankees traded five players to bring him in. With just one season left before his free agency, he’s likely to command a significant contract, possibly second only to Shohei Ohtani.
The Yankees made the move partly to introduce Soto to New York City life and potentially sway him to stay. Soto, a left-handed hitter, boasts some of the best offensive stats in the American League and is a strong candidate for AL MVP.
But amidst all the Soto talk, the Yankees also have another free agent worth considering: Clay Holmes.
Holmes, arguably the best closer in the American League right now, has been dominant this season with nine saves, a perfect 1-0 record, and no earned runs in 13 innings. He’s on track for possibly his best season yet, building on his career-high 24 saves from last year and his All-Star appearance in 2022.
While Holmes isn’t in line for a mega-contract like Josh Hader’s, who signed for $19 million per year with the Astros, his consistency and performance make him a valuable asset. The nature of closing is unpredictable, but Holmes has proven himself reliable.
Considering the uncertainties of free agency, it might be wise for the Yankees to pursue Holmes as well. Speculation suggests he could be secured with a reasonable three-year extension, around $10 million per year.
Each save Holmes adds to his tally only strengthens his case in free agency, whether he remains in New York or not.
