After years of dealing with A.J. Minter, the Mets now have the lefty on their side. The Mets have reportedly signed Minter to a two-year deal, taking care of one hole that remains on their roster this offseason. It also ends Minter’s nearly decade-long run in the Braves’ organization.
A Look at Minter
The only Major League team A.J. Minter has known throughout his pro career is the Braves. Atlanta selected Minter in the second round back in 2015. Since then, Minter’s blossomed into a strong left-handed arm out of the bullpen.
Minter became a near-immediate hit out of Atlanta’s bullpen, striking out 69 over 61.1 IP in his rookie season back in 2018. After that year, the left-hander struggled in 2019 but found his form after leaving the closer’s role.
And over the last three years, Minter’s been one of the more successful lefties. From 2022-24, Minter posted a 150 ERA+ and 211 strikeouts, eighth-most among left-handed relievers.
The 31-year-old boasts a hard, mid-90s four-seamer with above-average carry (17.1”). He’ll pair it with a mid-80s changeup with good fading action. His changeup is traditionally used against only right-handed bats.
Additionally, Minter has a hard cutter that per Statcast, breaks horizontally 3.3” more than the league average. It gives Minter a weapon against left-handed bats, as it runs away from same-sided hitters.
His combo of pitches leads to above-average chase and whiff rates, as well as strikeouts. And, Minter doesn’t have much in the way of command problems. His career-best BB/9 came in 2022 (1.9).
Minter does have some experience as a closer, and not particularly great experience. Exhibit A was in 2019, when Minter blew three saves over the first month and owned an ERA north of 9.00. That season saw his walk rate explode, to 7.1 BB/9.
Per reports, the Mets are adding A.J. Minter on a two-year deal worth $22M, with an opt-out after the first.
Analysis
The Mets were reportedly interested in Tanner Scott, an arm who likely would have cost more than Minter, earlier this month. However, Scott’s likely no longer in the cards, especially since the Mets filled their need for another southpaw.
While the Mets did have RHP Reed Garrett, thanks to his plus splitter, to beat lefties, New York’s roster only included three southpaws before this move: Sean Manaea, David Peterson, and Danny Young. Manaea and Peterson will slot in as starters, while Young profiled as the team’s lone lefty.
That changes with Minter, a lefty with a different pitch arsenal and look than Young, a sweeper/sinker pitcher from a low arm slot and has a low-90s heater. Minter will replace Brooks Raley, a free agent who missed most of 2024.
As for the Braves, the loss of Minter continues a familar theme. Atlanta’s cut salary throughout the offseason, trading away Jorge Soler and moving on from Travis d’Arnaud. However, the Braves do have left-handed pitching depth in their ‘pen. Aaron Bummer and Dylan Lee remain on the roster.