February 15, 2025
Mets and left guard AJ Minter reportedly agree to a two-year deal

Mets and left guard AJ Minter reportedly agree to a two-year deal

MLB: Miami Marlins at Atlanta Braves

MLB: Miami Marlins at Atlanta Braves

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets are turning their attention to the bullpen and have agreed to terms with free-agent left-hander AJ Minter on a two-year contract, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Friday.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the agreement was contingent on a successful physical exam.

Multiple media outlets reported that Minter, who underwent surgery on his left hip, would receive $22 million guaranteed and could opt out of the contract after the 2025 season.

The 31-year-old Minter spent his entire eight-year major league career with NL East rival Atlanta Braves, posting a 24-29 record with a 3.28 ERA and 36 saves in 384 appearances – all in relief.

He was 5-4 with a 2.62 ERA and one save in 39 games last year, posting 35 strikeouts and 11 walks in 34 1/3 innings before surgery in August ended the season.

Dr. Thomas Byrd in Nashville, Tennessee, discovered a labral tear, hip impingement and a lesion on Minter’s femur, and the procedure required a microfracture to be performed on the hip, MLB.com reported.

Minter had to take a break from May 30th to June 30th due to inflammation of his left hip. He also missed two weeks in July 2023 due to inflammation in his left shoulder.

However, when healthy, Minter has been a reliable and effective reliever on nasty stuff, posting 422 strikeouts in 348 2/3 innings in his career. He recorded a career-high 15 saves in 2018 and a career-high 10 saves in 2023.

Minter was a key member of a great bullpen that helped Atlanta win the 2021 World Series and is 3-1 with a 2.88 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 20 postseason outings spanning 25 innings.

After filling holes in their starting rotation with free-agent deals for Sean Manaea, Frankie Montas, Griffin Canning and former All-Star closer Clay Holmes earlier this offseason, the Mets still have a lot of work to do in the bullpen.

Minter would provide coach Carlos Mendoza with a proven late-inning left-hander to line up Edwin Díaz as the star closer, something New York lacked last year when it surprisingly advanced to the National League Championship Series.

The deal with Minter comes the same day the busy Mets brought back outfielder and designated hitter Jesse Winker on a one-year deal announced Friday evening.

Both moves could be a sign that the club doesn’t expect to re-sign All-Star slugger and fan favorite Pete Alonso, with owner Steve Cohen and president of baseball operations David Stearns now allocating their resources elsewhere.

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