The New York Mets have shifted their focus towards enhancing their bullpen, reaching an agreement with free agent left-handed pitcher A.J. Minter on a two-year deal, according to a source close to the situation. The agreement is contingent upon Minter successfully passing a physical exam.
Reports indicate that the contract guarantees Minter $22 million, with an option for him to opt out after the 2025 season. The 31-year-old pitcher has dedicated his eight-year major league career to the Atlanta Braves, a division rival of the Mets, accumulating a record of 24 wins and 29 losses, a 3.28 earned run average (ERA), and a total of 36 saves over 384 relief appearances.
In the previous season, Minter posted a record of 5-4 with a 2.62 ERA and one save across 39 games. His performance included 35 strikeouts and just 11 walks over 34 1/3 innings before he underwent season-ending surgery in August. The procedure, performed by Dr. Thomas Byrd in Nashville, Tennessee, revealed a torn labrum, hip impingement, and a lesion on his femur, necessitating a microfracture surgery on his hip.
Minter dealt with hip inflammation that kept him sidelined from the end of May to the end of June and faced a shoulder issue in July 2023 that also limited his activity. Nonetheless, when he’s healthy, Minter proves to be a potent reliever, having recorded 422 career strikeouts in 348 2/3 innings pitched. He achieved a personal best of 15 saves in 2018 and notched 10 in the 2023 season.
A crucial figure in Atlanta’s bullpen that contributed to their 2021 World Series victory, Minter boasts a postseason record of 3-1, with a 2.88 ERA and 36 strikeouts across 20 appearances totaling 25 innings.
As the Mets made strides to reinforce their starting rotation earlier this offseason by signing free agents Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, Griffin Canning, and former All-Star closer Clay Holmes, their relief corps still requires additional attention. Minter’s addition would provide manager Carlos Mendoza with a seasoned left-handed option for crucial late-game situations, particularly to support star closer Edwin Díaz, an area where the Mets struggled last season despite their surprising run to the National League Championship Series.
This deal comes alongside another significant move by the Mets, as they also announced the signing of outfielder and designated hitter Jesse Winker to a one-year contract on the same day. Both acquisitions may indicate that the team is reallocating resources away from a potential re-signing of All-Star slugger Pete Alonso, as owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns look for new avenues of investment.
