{"id":24272,"date":"2025-01-07T08:13:54","date_gmt":"2025-01-07T08:13:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=24272"},"modified":"2025-01-07T08:13:54","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T08:13:54","slug":"baseball-hall-of-famer-predicts-great-things-for-pressure-free-clay-holmes-with-mets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=24272","title":{"rendered":"Baseball Hall of Famer predicts great things for pressure-free Clay Holmes with Mets"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Cincinnati<\/p>\n

Apparently, there’s no more pressure-free endeavor than signing with the team that’s in MLB’s hottest spotlight, following the acquisition of Juan Soto, and changing roles over the span of one offseason. Or maybe pitching for the Yankees is just that toxic these days that anything<\/em> feels like a vacation?<\/p>\n

Nobody hates the Bronx Bombers more than John Smoltz, the ex-Brave whose Atlanta teams were vanquished in the Fall Classic by the ’90s Yankees twice. It’s only natural that he feels this way. After all, who’d want to be front and center on the “Second-Best Team of the Decade”?<\/p>\n

Unsurprisingly, Smoltz’s hatred seems to extend to predicting greatness for all former Yankees lucky enough to escape the team’s clutches. That includes Clay Holmes, who led the league in blown saves last year (13) and intends to become a starter on a three-year deal with the Mets.<\/p>\n

It could<\/em> work. It’s certainly bold. If the Mets intend to set Holmes and his turbo sinker up nicely, they should probably add a few more rotation pieces so that he doesn’t enter 2025 in the No. 3 starter spotlight.<\/p>\n

But, according to Smoltz, there should be no worries here. With “the pressure to be perfect in the moment” gone, Holmes will “flourish” at Citi Field. Yes, Mets fans … famously not demanding. The 2025 Mets season … famously flying under-the-radar. Those dastardly New Yorkers in the Bronx are long gone. Now, Holmes has to perform for … hmm, I’m checking my notes and seeing “more New Yorkers”?<\/p>\n

\n

"I think it's gonna be great. It's going to take pressure off him to be perfect in the moment… I think you're gonna see him flourish."<\/p>\n

John Smoltz discusses Clay Homes being a starter in Queens. #MLBNHotStove<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ovqLRBb7wh<\/a><\/p>\n

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 17, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n