The Chicago Cubs acquired right-hander Clay Holmes and outfielder Tyrone Taylor from the New York Mets for infielder Jefferson Rojas, the teams announced 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 or at least hang on to the NL's top wild-card spot.
"In some ways we were as focused as I can remember in a deadline," president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. "It was very clear we needed to add pitching."
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 last-place 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.
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.
Hoyer said the team plans to meet with Holmes before a decision is made about his next step in his injury recovery and that he will shore up the starting rotation while the team sees added value in his background as a closer.
"We have to decide exactly how we want to play that," Hoyer said. "But I think we love the fit from a shape standpoint. He's a fantastic ground ball guy, doesn't give up home runs. I think putting that kind of guy in front of this defense makes a ton of sense for us. And obviously we can figure out the role. He's going to be a starting pitcher, but obviously his track record as a fantastic closer is certainly something that will add a bonus potential."
Taylor, 32, batted .241 with 10 homers, 28 RBIs and a .794 OPS in 67 games for New York this season. The reserve outfielder, better known for excellent defense, has been on a remarkable tear at the plate since returning June 26 from a strained right hip. He can become a free agent after the World Series.
Rojas, 21, 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. Rojas was hitting .270 with 15 home runs, 57 RBIs, 17 stolen bases and a .800 OPS in 91 games at Double-A Knoxville this season.
"Ultimately one of our focuses was trading from areas of depth and some surplus. And we did that," Hoyer said.
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, Jesse Rogers and David Schoenfield, and The Associated Press contributed to this report.