The New York Mets bolstered their bullpen Friday, signing left-handed reliever A.J. Minter to a two-year, $22 million contract, pending a physical, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
The deal includes an opt-out after the first year, giving Minter the chance to re-enter free agency.
Minter, 31, has been a reliable bullpen arm in recent years despite some health concerns. He underwent surgery in August 2024 for left hip inflammation, which sidelined him for part of the season. However, his market remained strong, with interest from teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, and Boston Red Sox before he agreed to a deal with the Mets.
From 2020 to 2024, Minter posted a 2.85 ERA over 267 relief appearances, striking out 30.1% of batters while limiting walks to 7.8%. Even in 2024, while dealing with hip issues, he maintained a 2.62 ERA across 34 1/3 innings.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].