The New York Mets have reached an agreement with free-agent left-handed reliever A.J. Minter on a two-year deal, according to a source familiar with the transaction. The deal is still pending a successful physical examination.
Minter, who recently underwent left hip surgery, will be guaranteed $22 million in the contract. He has the option to opt out of the deal after the 2025 season.
The 31-year-old Minter has spent his entire eight-season MLB career with the Atlanta Braves, a division rival of the Mets. Over 384 relief appearances, he has a 24-29 record, a 3.28 ERA, and 36 saves.
In 2023, Minter posted a 5-4 record, a 2.62 ERA, and one save in 39 games. He struck out 35 batters and walked 11 in 34 1/3 innings before his season ended due to surgery in August.
Minter’s surgery was performed by Dr. Thomas Byrd in Nashville, Tennessee. He was diagnosed with a torn labrum, hip impingement, and a lesion on his femur. The surgery involved a microfracture procedure. Earlier in the season, Minter had also dealt with left hip inflammation from May 30 to June 30 and left shoulder inflammation for two weeks in July.
Despite his injury setbacks, Minter has been a reliable and effective reliever when healthy. He has 422 career strikeouts in 348 2/3 innings. In 2018, he set a career-high with 15 saves, and he recorded 10 saves in 2023.
Minter was also a key contributor to the Braves’ bullpen during their 2021 World Series win. In 20 postseason appearances, he has a 3-1 record with a 2.88 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 25 innings.
The Mets have made moves to strengthen their starting rotation this offseason by signing free agents Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, Griffin Canning, and former All-Star closer Clay Holmes. However, the bullpen still needs attention.
Minter’s addition gives Mets manager Carlos Mendoza a proven left-handed option for late innings, which the team lacked last season. His role will be to help set up star closer Edwin Díaz, especially after the Mets’ unexpected run to the National League Championship Series last year.
This agreement with Minter was announced on the same day the Mets also signed outfielder and designated hitter Jesse Winker to a one-year contract.
These moves could indicate that the Mets may not be planning to re-sign All-Star slugger Pete Alonso, with owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns focusing their resources elsewhere.
