Clay Holmes Optimistic About Mets’ Starting Rotation Heading into 2026

By: Pat Pickens | February 9, 2026

The New York Mets are gearing up for a fresh start in 2026, and Clay Holmes is optimistic about what the pitching staff can accomplish this year. After a disappointing 2025 season that saw the Mets’ starting rotation struggle to find consistency, Holmes believes things are poised to improve. As pitchers and catchers report to spring training in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Holmes spoke highly of the revamped staff, particularly the addition of Freddy Peralta as the team’s new staff ace.

Mets’ 2025 Struggles: A Rough Year for the Rotation

In 2025, the Mets’ starting rotation was a major weak point for the team. They finished 27th in the league in innings pitched (796.0) and 29th in walks per nine innings (3.66), creating constant pressure on the bullpen. The result was an overworked reliever group, which logged the third-most innings (636) and took the fifth-most losses (36) of any bullpen in the league. The Mets finished the year with a disappointing 83-79 record, failing to make the playoffs in what was supposed to be a bounce-back season.

Holmes’ Confidence in the Rotation: “The Talent’s There”

As the team enters 2026, Clay Holmes is confident that the starting rotation will be much improved. After a solid first season with the Mets in 2025, where he led the team in wins (12) and finished second in innings pitched (165 2/3), Holmes is ready to see what this new group can do.

“I think in the rotation, the talent’s there,” Holmes told SNY. “I don’t think we pitched to what we’re capable of last year.”

With the addition of Freddy Peralta, the Mets now have a pitcher who could be the anchor of the rotation. Peralta, who had a dominant season in 2025 with the Milwaukee Brewers (17-6, 2.70 ERA, 200+ strikeouts), joins the Mets as the new staff ace. Alongside him, Nolan McLean, who emerged as one of the league’s top young starters in 2025, slots in as a 1A/2 starter. With David Peterson and Clay Holmes occupying the Nos. 3 and 4 spots, the Mets’ starting staff is poised to be much stronger than it was a year ago.

However, competition remains strong, as Kodai Senga and Jonah Tong are also in the mix for starting roles. This depth gives the Mets flexibility and should ensure a competitive spring training for all involved.

The Impact of Freddy Peralta: A New Ace for the Mets

Freddy Peralta’s arrival has generated excitement for the Mets, and Holmes is particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of working alongside him. Peralta, a former ace for the Brewers, is coming off his third consecutive season with 200+ strikeouts. His presence provides the Mets with a true front-of-the-rotation starter, something they lacked in 2025.

“Freddie’s obviously a special pitcher,” Holmes said of his new teammate. “I’ve heard his reputation as who he is as a person [and] as a teammate and the energy he brings to the field. It’s gonna be a lot of fun to pitch aside from him and to get to learn from him.”

Holmes also noted that Peralta’s leadership and energy are infectious, and he’s excited to learn from the veteran pitcher as he continues to grow in his own role with the Mets.

The New Mets Pitching Coach: Justin Willard’s Impact

In addition to Peralta, the Mets have a new pitching coach in Justin Willard, the former Boston Red Sox director of pitching. Willard, who was hired in November 2025, is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the Mets’ pitching staff. Holmes has already noticed the positive energy Willard and Peralta bring to the team, and he believes that their new approach will help the staff reach its full potential.

“They have a great energy about them,” Holmes said about Peralta and Willard. “Obviously with some new pitching coaches, [I’m] just getting to know them and see what they say. A fresh perspective on things is always good. I’ve just been taking those things in and kind of running with them.”

Holmes’ excitement about the new coaching staff is evident, and it’s clear that he’s ready to work with them to take his performance—and the team’s pitching staff—to the next level.

The Mets’ Strong Offense: Balancing the Pitching Staff

While the Mets’ pitching staff was their Achilles’ heel in 2025, their offense was one of the league’s best. The combination of young talent like Drake Maye, Rhamondre Stevenson, and veterans like Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte gave the Mets a powerful attack. If the starting rotation can find stability, the Mets will be a formidable team in the National League.

As Clay Holmes mentioned, the starting rotation is like the engine of the team, and the Mets are well aware that they need to improve in that area. With the additions of Freddy Peralta, Nolan McLean, and a healthy David Peterson, the Mets have the potential to have one of the most dangerous rotations in baseball.

Conclusion: Optimism for the Mets’ Pitching Staff in 2026

The New York Mets are entering 2026 with optimism about their pitching staff. After a disappointing year in 2025, Clay Holmes and his teammates believe that the talent is there to significantly improve. With the addition of Freddy Peralta as the new staff ace, the Mets’ rotation looks far stronger than it did a year ago, and the competition for starting spots will only push everyone to perform at their best.

With the guidance of Justin Willard, the Mets’ new pitching coach, and the leadership of Peralta, the Mets’ pitching staff has the potential to turn around its fortunes in 2026. If they can complement their explosive offense with strong pitching, the Mets could be a force to be reckoned with in the National League this season.