The New York Mets entered 2026 with World Series aspirations, but the season has taken a brutal turn. While it's not over yet, the clock is ticking, and if things don't turn around quickly, the Mets could find themselves on the other side of the trade deadline—as sellers rather than buyers.

If that happens, all eyes will be on their starting rotation. And while Freddy Peralta is a name that will generate buzz, it's Clay Holmes who could become the most coveted arm on the market.

Holmes, a right-handed starter, has been nothing short of dominant this season, posting a jaw-dropping 1.69 ERA. According to Robert Murray of Fansided.com, Holmes isn't just a trade candidate—he could be one of the most sought-after pitchers available if the Mets decide to make him available.

"In fact, he could be one of the most coveted arms on the entire market if he is, in fact, available," Murray writes.

For a team that spent big and expected to contend, selling would be a painful admission that things went terribly wrong. But from a roster-building perspective, it might be the smartest move. Holmes is likely to hit free agency after this season, and if the 2026 campaign is lost by the deadline, holding onto him makes little sense.

Trading Holmes could bring back a haul of quality prospects—players who could help the organization beyond this year. His 1.69 ERA is almost certainly unsustainable, but even if it rises in the coming months, the demand for a pitcher of his caliber will be sky-high.

The Mets may want to avoid the crushing reality of going from contenders to sellers in just a few months. But when it comes to building for the future, sometimes the toughest decisions are the smartest ones.