Just ahead of the 2026 MLB Trade Deadline, the New York Mets traded starting pitcher Clay Holmes to the Chicago Cubs in a multi-player deal.

Although Holmes ended up being traded by the Mets to the Cubs, the Arizona Diamondbacks reportedly were very close to acquiring him beforehand.

According to the Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro, the Diamondbacks were close to acquiring Holmes, but the Mets backed out of the deal.

"The Diamondbacks' pursuit of a starting pitcher at the trade deadline hit a snag during the middle of the day on Monday, Aug. 3, when the New York Mets backed out of a potential deal that would have sent right-hander Clay Holmes to Arizona, multiple sources said," Piecoro wrote.

Piecoro also shared the reason why the Mets backed out of the trade was due to their concerns about a Diamondbacks prospect's medical records.

Hearing that the Diamondbacks were pushing hard to acquire Holmes is understandable. The Diamondbacks were in need of pitching help ahead of the deadline, and Holmes would have been a strong addition to their starting rotation. Furthermore, with the Diamondbacks looking to make the playoffs, it would have made sense if they brought in a high-impact pitcher like Holmes.

The Diamondbacks ended up not bringing in a new starting pitcher by the deadline, either, so missing out on Holmes certainly stings. They did at least add to their outfield, though, as they acquired Lars Nootbaar from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for Daniel Eagen, Sandro Santana, and a player to be named later.