The Minnesota Twins have traded for Mets left-hander A.J. Minter, one of the top relievers on the market, a source told MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo. The teams have not confirmed the report.
The Mets received two prospects, Single-A shortstop Bruin Agbayani and Double-A third baseman Billy Amick, in return, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman. Agbayani, 19, is the son of former Mets outfielder Benny Agbayani.
While it’s been a difficult two years for Minter in a Mets uniform, he’s healthy at just the right time to help a contender.
A stalwart of Atlanta’s bullpens from 2017-24, Minter is playoff-tested, with a 2.88 ERA over 20 career October appearances and a World Series ring in 2021. During the regular season, he produced a 3.28 mark during his time with the Braves.
But a month into the two-year, $22 million contract Minter signed to join the rival Mets before the 2025 season, he tore his left lat muscle off the bone, necessitating surgery. It took Minter until this May to make it back, and when he did, his velocity was down a couple ticks from his pre-surgery form.
Still, Minter managed to record outs even with diminished stuff, going his first 14 outings without allowing an earned run. He is a pure rental who can be a free agent after this season.
