Cubs' Clay Holmes Declines Player Option, Becomes Free Agent

As expected, the Chicago Cubs' starting rotation took one final hit before free agency begins.

Right-hander Clay Holmes declined his $12 million player option for 2027 and officially became a free agent. Holmes faced a 4 p.m. CT deadline Monday to make a decision. Also, right-hander Colin Rea and left-hander Caleb Thielbar had their mutual options declined, also making them free agents. Free agency opens across MLB after 4 p.m.

Holmes was one of the Cubs' big additions at the trade deadline, coming over from the New York Mets along with outfielder Tyrone Taylor for prospect infielder Jefferson Rojas. Holmes was widely expected to be just a rental as his second season as a starter after converting from a relief role had gone pretty well, making him attractive in free agency. The Cubs will be in the mix to retain Holmes' services.

With the Cubs, Holmes made nine starts, posting a 4.09 FIP (4.25 ERA) over 48⅔ innings. That was worse than what he showed this year with the Mets, also in nine starts before sustaining a fractured left leg on a comebacker. He had a 3.21 FIP (2.39 ERA) over 52⅔ innings. His walk rate and strikeout rate got worse when he came to the Cubs. With the Mets, his walk rate was 8.4% and his strikeout rate was 20.9%, then 11.8% and 16.2% with the Cubs.

Rea made 19 starts and 15 relief appearances over 137 innings, putting up a 4.80 FIP (4.34 ERA), walking 8% and striking out 17.2% of batters faced.

In 50 innings this year, Thielbar had 58 outings with a 4.70 FIP (4.86 ERA) to go along with an 8.5% walk rate and 28.3% strikeout rate.