Mets sign A.J. Minter: Ex-Braves reliever heading to New York bullpen on $22 million contract, per report

The New York Mets have reached an agreement with free-agent lefty reliever A.J. Minter, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Minter is slated to make $22 million over a two-year term. He will have the ability to opt out and return to the free-agent market after the first season if he so desires.

Minter, 31, has amassed a 3.28 ERA (131 ERA+) and a 3.43 strikeout-to-walk ratio in nearly 400 career big-league appearances — all of them coming as a member of the Atlanta Braves. He didn’t pitch after Aug. 11 last season after undergoing hip surgery. 

Nevertheless, CBS Sports ranked Minter as the No. 48 free agent available this winter. Here’s what we wrote at the time:

This is a touch lower than Minter deserves to be based on his track record as a high-leverage lefty, but we’re hedging our bets on how teams will react to the season-ending hip surgery he underwent in August. To his credit, he continued to be effective when he was available; to his debit, his velocity and both his strikeout and home-run rates declined to the worst of his career. Attributing those marks to Minter’s physical ailment seems fair. At the same time, it’s probably wise to account for the possibility that he never quite regains his peak form again. 

Minter joins a Mets bullpen that figures to also include closer Edwin Díaz, José Buttó, Reed Garrett, and Dedniel Núñez. The Mets had previously been linked to fellow left-hander Tanner Scott and former Yankees southpaw Tim Hill. It’s unclear at the moment if Minter’s signing will take the Mets out of the running for those arms.

Minter is the second free agent the Mets have added in the last two days. On Wednesday, they inked outfielder Jesse Winker to a one-year deal.

The New York Mets have made a big move to bolster their bullpen, reportedly signing former Atlanta Braves reliever A.J. Minter to a $22 million contract. Minter, known for his electric stuff and ability to get crucial outs in high-pressure situations, will bring a valuable left-handed arm to the Mets’ relief corps.

The 28-year-old southpaw has been a key contributor for the Braves over the past few seasons, posting a 3.67 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 2021. With his experience and track record of success in the postseason, Minter figures to be a valuable addition to a Mets bullpen that is looking to solidify its late-inning options.

Minter’s signing is a signal of the Mets’ commitment to building a championship-caliber team for the 2022 season. With a strong rotation led by Jacob deGrom and a potent lineup featuring the likes of Pete Alonso and Francisco Lindor, adding a reliable reliever like Minter could be the final piece of the puzzle for a deep postseason run.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Mets continue to make moves to strengthen their roster ahead of the upcoming season. Mets fans can look forward to seeing Minter take the mound in Queens and help lead the team to success in 2022.

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