Mets signing A.J. Minter to two-year deal to bolster bullpen: Reports
The Mets have reportedly continued their pivot plan after moving on from Pete Alonso.
According to multiple reports, New York has signed A.J. Minter to a two-year, $22 million deal, bolstering the bullpen by bringing in an established lefty reliever with plenty of experience pitching in the NL East.
Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, the deal includes an opt-out after the first year.
Minter, 31, had spent his entire eight-year career with the rival Braces and had a strong 2024 campaign, pitching to a 2.62 ERA across 34.1 innings of work. The southpaw posted 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings, which was the lowest mark of his career while allowing a career-high 1.6 home runs per nine, but Minter has remained a reliable reliever that will help New York's pen behind Edwin Diaz. His season was cut short in 2024 due to hip surgery, but should be a full go for spring training.
Minter holds a career 3.28 ERA and is only two years removed from a sparkling 2022 campaign in which he pitched to a 2.06 ERA over 70 innings of work, striking out 12.1 batters per nine innings.
The 2021 World Series champion has also been reliable in the playoffs, as he holds a career postseason ERA of 2.88 across 25 innings.
