New York Mets pitcher Clay Holmes had plenty to say after watching All-Star teammates Edwin Díaz and Pete Alonso depart in free agency.

Díaz, the Mets’ closer since 2019, signed a three-year, $69 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Alonso, who became the Mets’ all-time home runs leader this past season, inked a five-year, $155 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles.

Holmes, on the other hand, is entering the second season of a three-year, $38 million contract with the Mets. In the span of a month, he watched Díaz, Alonso and longtime Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo — who was traded to the Texas Rangers for second baseman Marcus Semien last month — find new homes.

“Always tough to see those guys go, you hope for the best,” Holmes said on Thursday at the Mets’ Annual Kids Holiday Party. “At the same time, those aren’t easy decisions … I don’t really know all the details behind the scenes.

“To make those big decisions, there’s got to be some kind of growth had,” Holmes continued. “And sometimes, it can be a little bit uncomfortable and you have to trust the direction they’re wanting to go.”

What to Know About Clay Holmes and the 2026 New York Mets

There is no indication that the Mets intend to make Holmes the next player that they part ways with, and for good reason. Previously an All-Star closer with the crosstown Yankees, Holmes transitioned into a starting pitcher and posted a 3.53 ERA over 33 games (31 starts) for the Mets. His 3.6% walks per nine rate was an improvement from his lifetime 3.9% average, though his strikeouts per nine plummeted from 9.7% to 7.0%.

Holmes’ 12 wins led the Mets, and they’ll need him to build off the flashes he showed last season. Alonso (3.4) and Díaz (3.0) both ranked among the top five Mets in bWAR, with Nimmo right behind them at 2.9.

“You know, for a player, it’s a little sad seeing those guys go,” Holmes admitted. “They’re great players, they’ve been great Mets for a long time. Really connected with the fanbase. As people, as players, even in the clubhouse, they’re great people.”

The Mets haven’t been entirely quiet, though. Devin Williams, who replaced Holmes as the Yankees’ closer last year, signed a three-year, $51 million contract earlier this month. Then, the Mets added another former Yankees reliever, Luke Weaver, who agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract on Wednesday.

Holmes, his fellow relievers and the Mets as a whole open the 2026 season on Thursday, March 26, against the Pittsburgh Pirates.