Cubs acquire Clay Holmes, OF Taylor from Mets for top prospectESPN News ServicesMultiple AuthorsAug 3, 2026, 05:01 PM ET
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The Chicago Cubs acquired right-hander Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the New York Mets for infielder Jefferson Rojas, the teams revealed Monday.
The busy Cubs made the move to replenish an injury-depleted pitching staff as they attempt to chase down the first-place Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central and hang on to the NL’s top wild-card spot.
The 33-year-old Holmes, who has sat out two months because of a broken leg this season, produces a high level of ground balls and has a minuscule home run rate that would prove valuable in the postseason. Before he sustained the injury when he was drilled by a 111.1 mph comebacker May 15, Holmes’ 2.39 ERA was one of the bright spots in an otherwise dismal season for the Mets.
Holmes, who gave up four runs (three earned) and seven hits over 5⅓ innings during a rehab start for High-A Brooklyn on Sunday, isn’t a guaranteed free agent after this season because he has a $12 million player option for 2027, which he is likely to turn down.
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His conversion from reliever with the New York Yankees to starter with the Mets has been successful, as he compiled a 3.26 ERA across 40 starts in two seasons in Queens. Though he is not the big strikeout pitcher teams are looking for in a postseason starter, he makes up for that with one of the highest ground ball rates in the majors.
Holmes’ arsenal includes a seam-shifted sinker, a kick changeup and a sweeper. He has thrown more than 70 innings in a season only once — in 2025, when he went 12-8 with a 3.53 ERA over 165⅔ innings for the Mets.
Taylor, the Mets’ top reserve outfielder known for his defense, spent time on the injured list earlier this season because of a right hip flexor strain. He is hitting .241 with 10 home runs and 28 RBIs.
Rojas was one of the Cubs’ top prospects, but his path to playing time in the infield was blocked by Dansby Swanson, Nico Hoerner and Alex Bregman. He was considered a likely trade candidate as the Cubs looked to address their pitching needs.
The Cubs also acquired right-handed reliever Ryan Zeferjahn from the Los Angeles Angels for two minor leaguers: catcher/designated hitter Moisés Ballesteros and right-hander Mason McGwire, the son of Mark McGwire.
They sent another pair of minor leaguers — right-hander Jace Beck and first baseman Jonathon Long — to the Miami Marlins in exchange for left-hander Braxton Garrett, whom they optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
Monday’s deals came one day after the Cubs augmented their rotation by acquiring veteran starter Kevin Gausman in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays.
ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel and David Schoenfield, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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