NEW YORK — Turning their attention to the bullpen, the New York Mets have agreed to a two-year contract with free agent left-hander AJ Minter, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Friday. .
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical exam.
Multiple media outlets reported that Minter, who was coming off left hip surgery, would be guaranteed $22 million and could opt out of the contract after the 2025 season.
Minter, 31, spent his entire eight-year major league career with the NL East rival Atlanta Braves, going 24-29 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, striking out 35 and walking 11 in 34 1/3 innings before late surgery. season in August.
Dr. Thomas Byrd of Nashville, Tennessee, discovered a torn labrum, hip impingement and injury to Minter’s femur, and the procedure required performing a microfracture of the hip, MLB.com reported.
Minter had been out from May 30 to June 30 due to left hip inflammation. He also missed two weeks in July 2023 with left shoulder inflammation.
However, when healthy, Minter has been a reliable and effective reliever with nasty stuff, accumulating 422 strikeouts in 348 2/3 innings. He made a career-high 15 saves in 2018 and 10 in 2023.
Minter was a key member of a formidable 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 rounds.
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 work to do in the bullpen.
Minter would give manager Carlos Mendoza a proven late-inning left-hander to help closer star Edwin Díaz, something New York lacked last year during a surprise run to the National League Championship Series.
The Minter deal comes the same day the busy Mets brought back outfielder and designated hitter Jesse Winker on a one-year deal announced Friday night.
Both decisions could indicate the club does not 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 resources elsewhere.
