Trade candidate Holmes hasn't had substantive contract talks with Mets

Clay Holmes could be activated from the injured list after making one more rehab start. Whether he's still with the Mets when he returns remains to be seen.

Likely to decline his $12 million player option to become a free agent at the end of the season, Holmes is one of the top trade chips for a Mets team that's a clear Trade Deadline seller.

The 33-year-old made his first rehab start on Thursday for Triple-A Syracuse and threw 2 1/3 innings. Multiple organizations had scouts in attendance to evaluate Holmes, who is scheduled for what could be his final rehab start early next week. He hasn't pitched in the Majors since May 15 due to a fractured right fibula.

There's been some speculation that the Mets could look to sign Holmes to a new contract before the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline, but the right-hander told reporters on Thursday that he hasn't engaged in substantive extension discussions with the club.

"I don't think there's been a ton there," Holmes said. "I think it's just one of those situations where there's a few different scenarios the team could go, and it really boils down to what the team thinks is best for the organization long term.

"I've stated how I feel about the Mets, just grateful for the opportunity here and guys in this clubhouse, getting to play with them and what this organization is," he added. "A lot of that is just out of my control at this point. As a player you want to leave this place better than you found it. What that looks like, I don't really know. But I have to do all I can to make sure that, no matter what happens, hopefully things are better here when I leave, whenever that is."

Sources confirmed to MLB.com that the Mets have been treating Juan Soto, Carson Benge, A.J. Ewing, Nolan McLean and Christian Scott as untouchable in trade talks.

President of baseball operations David Stearns said Thursday that the club is "not going to close any paths down right now" but that he envisions constructing the roster around a core of youngsters plus “a couple guys who are likely headed to Cooperstown one day,” an indication that Francisco Lindor is probably safe as well.

Everyone else appears to be on the table, Holmes included.