Mets’ Late-Innings Look Locked Down with Minter in the Mix
As reported on Friday, the New York Mets have signed 31-year-old reliever A.J. Minter to a two-year, $22 million deal (pending a physical). The lefty is coming off an excellent 2024 with the Atlanta Braves: A 2.62 ERA, a 5-4 record over 39 appearances [34.1 innings], and 35 Ks. For $11M per year [an absolute steal, I might add], Minter’s strong three-pitch-mix is an arsenal that’ll strengthen a bullpen in desperate need of lights-out depth.
The Mets are signing AJ Minter to a two-year deal, per multiple reports pic.twitter.com/Bs1lmgSwHd
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) January 17, 2025
Lefty-Leverage, Set up Solution
Minter slots perfectly into the set up mix for closer Edwin Díaz with some lefty leverage. Between Díaz, José Buttó, and now Minter, you’ve got a late-inning trio that can attack hitters from all angles. Buttó has that four-seam-esque sinker, Díaz blows hitters away with electric velocity, and Minter mixes in elite swing-and-miss stuff.
Factor in key middle relief in Reed Garrett and versatile set-up-man Buttó, and this group suddenly has layers. The Mets can call on Tylor Megill (even to start), Danny Young, Sean Reid-Foley, and Dedniel Núñez for support and/or spot relief.
- Edwin Díaz (CLS)
- A.J. Minter (SU8)
- José Buttó (SU7/SP)
- Reed Garret (R)
- Sean Reid-Foley(R)
- Dedniel Núñez (R)
- Griffin Canning (R)
- Tylor Megill (R/SP)
- Paul Blackburn (R/SP)
- Danny Young (R)
Options, Matchups, and Flexibility
But it’s not just the bullpen. The rotation now features a marquee 1-2 with Sean Manaea and Kodai Senga. David Peterson, who gives an additional lefty option, will go for number three, with Frankie Montas and Clay Holmes rounding out the rotation. Minter’s addition complements Manaea and Peterson, giving the Mets multiple left-handed weapons to neutralize NL East power bats.
2025 Projected Starting Rotation
- Sean Manaea
- Kodai Senga
- David Peterson
- Frankie Montas
- Clay Holmes
Minter’s a smart, high-upside piece for a team that’s building intelligently. If news hadn’t broken about the Mets meeting with (now Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher) Tanner Scott, I feel as though fans would be far more outwardly excited about the addition of Minter—he’s an [literally] elite reliever. This depth is exactly what you want in a modern bullpen: options, matchups, and flexibility. Pair that with the improved rotation, and you’ve got a staff that can hold it down for some hot bats.
Bullpen Overhaul: Still Need Pete’s Pop
With a reported “pivot” from securing slugging first baseman Pete Alonso, the Mets have already set out on a two-part plan: the first half with the inking of utility outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker (one-year $8 million) and completing it with the addition of Minter.
As we look forward to Pitchers and Catchers reporting on February 12th, the current state of the Mets’ rotation and bullpen have shored up very nicely this offseason. Still, there are no definitive corner infielders, and there is uncertainty about whether Brett Baty will take the hot corner, shifting [previously expected] third baseman Mark Vientos to first base in the event Alonso signs elsewhere.
The Mets’ pitching looks primed to compete, but the longer they drag their feet on locking down Alonso, the more glaring the hole at first base becomes—and this lineup can only build on a postseason run by having Pete’s “Polar Bear” power.
