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Jorge Castillo, ESPN editor
The New York Mets and left-hander AJ Minter agreed to a two-year, $22 million contract Friday, sources confirmed to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, giving a help-starved team one of the top relievers on the free agent market.
The deal, which is pending physical review, includes an opt-out clause after the 2025 season. SNY was first to report the deal.
Minter, 31, has been a key contributor during the Atlanta Braves’ recent run of success, posting a 3.28 ERA over 384 relief appearances since his debut in 2017. He was a member of the World Championship club Series 2021 and had its best full season the following one. year, with a 2.06 ERA in 75 games. Hip inflammation limited Minter to 39 appearances in 2024, but he was effective when healthy with a 2.62 ERA over 34 ⅓ innings in a setup role.
He joins a club that prioritized acquiring a top reliever this winter to pair with closer Edwin Diaz late in the game. Being left-handed checks another box for New York, who, as things stand, only have one other left-handed reliever (Alex Young) on their 40-man roster.
The bullpen addition comes a day after the club agreed to a one-year deal with veteran outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker, who appears to be primarily used as a defender against right-handed pitchers.
Pete Alonso, the Mets’ star first baseman, remains a free agent. The two sides have tried to negotiate a meeting, but recently reached an impasse over financing a three-year contract, according to a source. Without Alonso, the Mets could move third baseman Mark Vientos, a star in 2024, across the diamond to first base with former top prospect Brett Baty, prospect Ronny Mauricio and Luisangel Acuna as internal candidates for start at third base.
