Mets pad bullpen with two-year deal for LHP Minter
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Known to be in the market for bullpen help, the Mets signed left-hander A.J. Minter to a two year contract that includes a player opt-out after the 2025 season, the team announced on Thursday. The deal is expected to be worth $22 million, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, though the team did not confirm the value.
Minter, one of Atlanta's most reliable and effective relievers during his tenure, has pitched to a 3.28 ERA with 422 strikeouts in 348 2/3 innings since his debut in 2017. The lefty mostly pitched in setup roles, but has also served as a closer, including a career-high 15 saves in 2018.
¡°We are thrilled to add A.J. to our team,¡± said Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns. ¡°A.J. has proved to be one of the most consistent and effective relievers in baseball, and we believe he will add an important element to our bullpen.¡±
Minter made 39 appearances in 2024, going 5-4 with a 2.62 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings. Over his last 19 games of the season, he allowed just three earned runs.
When healthy, Minter has three effective pitches: a fastball that usually sits around 96 mph, a changeup that held batters to a .120 average in 2024, and a putaway cutter that has produced a whiff rate as high as 38 percent.
He's also proven quite effective in the postseason. In 25 innings (20 appearances), Minter has a 2.88 ERA and 36 strikeouts while holding opponents to a .185 average.
Minter has been limited by injuries the past two seasons, however. A hip ailment in 2024 caused him to miss all of June and eventually ended his season in August when it was revealed that it would require surgery. This followed a shoulder injury in 2023 that sidelined him for two weeks in July.