In need of a late-inning lefty reliever, the New York Mets and A.J. Minter reached an agreement Friday on a two-year deal worth $22 million, league sources confirmed. The deal, which is pending a physical, includes a player opt-out (worth $11 million, a league source said) after the first season. SNY first reported the move.
Minter, 31, profiled as one of the better left-handed relievers in the free-agent market, fitting in somewhere in a tier below Tanner Scott, whom Mets officials previously met with. With Scott projected to net a three- or four-year deal as likely the most expensive option in free agency, several teams steered their attention toward Minter with serious interest, league sources said. Thus, it came as little surprise that Minter landed a multiyear deal.
The Mets’ interest in Minter intensified recently, but they maintained serious interest in him throughout the offseason, people briefed on the matter said.
For relievers, Minter is believed to be the first non-closer to ever receive an eight-figure annual average value with an opt-out inside a multiyear deal.
The Mets’ latest addition comes one day after league sources suggested the Mets were in active talks with other players and that it would be difficult to fit Pete Alonso into their plans if they strike deals in other pursuits. The Mets reached an agreement Thursday with outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker.
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With or without Alonso, though, the Mets always needed another capable back-end reliever to at least help bridge to closer Edwin Díaz. Before Minter, Danny Young was the only lefty reliever on the Mets’ 40-man roster.
Minter joins a bullpen that also includes Reed Garrett, Dedniel Núñez and probably José Buttó, who is also versatile enough to start games. Others in the mix for a bullpen spot include Sean Reid-Foley, Huascar Brazoban, Tyler Zuber and Max Kranick (plus a host of non-roster spring training invites and recent waiver-wire additions).
Last season, Minter had a 2.62 ERA with 35 strikeouts in 39 appearances with the Atlanta Braves, the only major-league team he has played on. Among lefty relievers since 2019, only Josh Hader (8.6), Scott (5.8), Taylor Rodgers (5.6) and Aroldis Chapman (5.6) own a higher fWAR than Minter (5.0). Throughout his career, Minter has performed well against right-handed batters (.666 OPS) as well as lefties (.602 OPS). Minter also brings quality postseason experience; he has a 2.88 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 25 career playoff innings.
Minter went on the injured list twice in 2024 due to left hip inflammation and eventually underwent surgery in August. His average four-seam velocity dropped from 96.6 mph in 2022 to 95.8 mph in 2023 to 94.5 mph in 2024. However, Minter is believed to be in a good spot at this point when it comes to his health (it’s unlikely he would’ve commanded robust interest otherwise). The Mets also have a recent understanding of working with players coming off hip issues since lefty starter David Peterson also had hip surgery before last season.
(Photo: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)
