White Sox reportedly have strong interest in Mets 2.39 ERA starter

The Chicago White Sox are expected to be trade deadline buyers this season. Not only are they in a wide-open American League, but in the AL Central, they have a real chance to win the division and earn a first-round bye.

At 52-46, the White Sox are likely to buy at this year's deadline, with starting pitching one of their more obvious needs. But with the Detroit Tigers and Kansas City Royals in the division, the White Sox might need to look elsewhere for good pitching talent.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the White Sox have sent someone to watch the rehab of New York Mets 2.39 ERA starter Clay Holmes. This decision shows some serious interest in Holmes, who could be a real trade target for the White Sox. 

White Sox are showing serious interest in Clay Holmes with a scouting decision

"The Chicago White Sox sent Nick Hostelter, their special assistant, to keep tabs on Mets starter Clay Holmes, who has begun his rehab assignment after breaking his right fibula on May 15," Nightengale reports.

Holmes has been sidelined for a few months now due to a brutal right fibula break, but before that injury knocked him out for much of the season, he was thriving.

The veteran right-hander had a 2.39 ERA in nine starts for the Mets with 1.9 bWAR and a 4-4 record with 45 strikeouts in 52.2 innings. While his 3.22 FIP indicates some regression could come, he was still pitching at a very high level this season.

At 33 years old, Holmes is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season if he declines his player option, which is the most likely outcome.

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But, similar to how the Toronto Blue Jays traded for an injured Shane Bieber, who then opted into his player option after a postseason run, the White Sox could have something similar happen with Holmes.

Even if Holmes is only a rental, he's a high-upside option who might not have a ton of suitors. As someone coming off such a serious injury, plenty of clubs might pursue other starters at the deadline over Holmes.

For the White Sox, that could open the door for a deal to land a premier pitcher when healthy at a discount due to injury and a potential lack of interest.

It would be a risky move, but the cost of adding Holmes shouldn't be too high, especially if Hostelter and the White Sox like what they see out of Holmes during his rehab starts that are just now getting underway.

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