Mets Trade Clay Holmes To Cubs For Top-100 Prospect Jefferson Rojas

Cubs add more arms, acquire Clay Holmes

Chicago trades for Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor, sends top prospect to Mets, Gausman, Garrett and Zeferjahn.

The Cubs add more arms, acquiring Clay Holmes from the Mets...

Ahead of Monday’s trade deadline, the New York Mets sent starting pitcher Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor to the Chicago Cubs.

Going back to New York is infield prospect Jefferson Rojas, ranked No. 63 overall in MLB. The 21-year-old is hitting .270/.339/.461 this year in Double-A, with 15 home runs, 57 RBI, and 17 stolen bases.

Chicago isn’t done stockpiling arms. The Cubs have also added Kevin Gausman from Toronto, Braxton Garrett from Miami, and Ryan Zeferjahn from the Angels this deadline.

Holmes, 33, still has a $12 million player option for 2027 on his deal. The veteran right-hander has posted a 2.39 ERA across nine starts this year. In 52.2 innings he’s allowed 40 hits and 18 walks while striking out 45.

Batters are hitting just .206 against him in 2025 the lowest mark he’s had since holding opponents to .196 back in 2022.

Cubs reportedly acquire RHP Clay Holmes and OF Tyrone Taylor from Mets for INF Jefferson Rojas (No. 63 overall prospect), per multiple reports including @MLBNetwork insider @JonHeyman.

(MLB x @CohnReznick) pic.twitter.com/TI1QAboAko

— MLB (@MLB) August 3, 2026

The two-time All-Star built his name as an elite reliever, but the Mets moved him into the rotation when they signed him in 2025. Since the switch he’s gone 16-12 with a 3.26 ERA, a 1.255 WHIP, and opponents hitting .223 off him.

Holmes spent the first three and a half years of his career in Pittsburgh before the Pirates dealt him to the Yankees in 2021. He then spent the next three seasons in New York working as a dominant bullpen arm.

Taylor, 32, is batting .241/.290/.503 this season with 10 home runs and 28 RBI.