Sudden Mets' change of tune creates ideal Cubs' 2026 trade deadline target

After the Chicago Cubs put the final nail in Carlos Mendoza's coffin as New York Mets manager last month, the two teams could once again find themselves intertwined as an expected sell-off gets underway in Queens.

The Mets look like one of the only sure-fire sellers ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline - and, really, who could blame them? New York entered Wednesday in last place in the National League East at 43-59, despite fielding a staggering $366 million payroll. Few names are untouchable and, luckily for the Cubs, a number of pitchers seem to be available, including right-hander Clay Holmes.

Previously, rumors suggested Holmes and the Mets may look to iron out an extension to keep the right-hander in the fold long-term, but new reports indicate that a trade is now the likeliest outcome.

Clay Holmes checks all the boxes the Cubs look for in pitchers

Holmes, 33, perfectly fits the type of pitcher Jed Hoyer and the Cubs have liked to target in recent years: someone who, at 100 percent, represents a needle-mover - but isn't currently at full-strength. The right-hander has been sidelined since mid-May with a fractured fibula, but is expected to make a rehab start soon. You can bet the Mets are hoping he looks solid in that appearance, because it could go a long way toward dictating what kind of trade demand he creates.

He holds a $12 million player option for next season and is in the final year of the two-year, $24 million pact he signed with the Mets prior to the 2025 campaign. Prior to hitting the IL, Holmes looked very sharp in nine starts, pitching to a 2.39 ERA, 3.22 FIP and 1.101 WHIP. We're talking about an elite ground-ball arm who excels at limiting hard contact - two characteristics we know the Cubs seek in pitchers.

If healthy, Holmes would be a nice addition to the Chicago rotation - and shouldn't come with too high of a prospect cost. New York isn't interested in paying down contracts in any trades, which would just leave the Cubs on the hook for a prorated portion of his $13 million salary for 2026. In other words, there could and should be an additional move to bolster the staff (and/or bullpen) if Holmes winds up being Hoyer's guy.

I suspect we'll see plenty of Cubs-Mets rumors over the next week-and-a-half. How prevalent Holmes factors into those rumors may well be determined by whether or not he proves he's healthy as he starts making rehab appearances this week.

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