Cubs barely escaped surprise Clay Holmes trade deadline push from fellow NL playoff contender

The Chicago Cubs completed their trade deadline activity by making a deal with the New York Mets, sending top prospect Jefferson Rojas to the Mets for starting pitcher Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor.

It turns out the Cubs weren't the first trade partner the Mets had in mind for Holmes. The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro reported that the the Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks were in the final stages of making a deal that would have sent Holmes to the National League West Contender.

The impression is that the two sides had the framework of a deal in place, and during the medical review stage of the trade talks, the Mets walked away from the deal over a concern with one of the prospects they were set to receive. The specifics of the nixed trade weren't disclosed, but the Mets backing out of that deal is what opened the door to the deal being completed with the Cubs.

The Diamondbacks were linked to several rental pitchers leading up to the deadline, but ultimately walked away from the day with a move for Lars Nootbaar being their only trade of consequence.

Credit to the Cubs for taking advantage of the situation. The biggest trend throughout most of the deals Jed Hoyer made at the deadline is that he was aware of the opportunity in front of him. The Cubs likely didn't enter Monday with the expectation that they would land Holmes, but a perfect storm created that chance and Hoyer capitalized on it.

It sure sounds like the Cubs are where Clay Holmes wanted to land at the trade deadline

Holmes met with reporters on Tuesday, and it certainly sounds like the Cubs were one of the teams he was watching as trade rumors picked up.

“I’m super excited,” Holmes told reporters. “Obviously, there were a lot of things floating out there. You just look at this team, where they’re at, and for me, this defense is probably one of the best places I could have come.”

Holmes is scheduled to start for the Cubs against the Kansas City Royals over the weekend. Hoyer did not rule out an eventual move to the bullpen if the Cubs need a closer during the postseason, but that speaks to the value of the addition. And, if we're being honest, it's one of the reasons why the Cubs should be eager to re-sign Holmes to a new contract as soon as possible.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow