The Atlanta Braves are saying goodbye to yet another familiar face this offseason. It’s starting to feel like a revolving door, isn’t it? This time, it’s A.J. Minter packing his bags and heading to the Big Apple.
A.J. Minter Joins the Mets
On Friday, the lefty reliever signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the New York Mets, complete with an opt-out after the first year. Andy Martino of SNY broke the initial news, while Joel Sherman of the New York Post filled in the juicy details.
If you’re a Mets fan, you’ve got to feel pretty good about this one. Their bullpen hasn’t exactly been the stuff of nightmares for opposing hitters. Outside of Edwin Díaz and a handful of other high-leverage guys, it’s been shaky at best.
A Rocky 2024 Season: Minter’s Ups and Downs
Minter is a guy with six seasons of reliable work in Atlanta. Bringin him in looks like a smart move. But here’s the thing: 2024 wasn’t exactly a banner year for Minter. His 2.62 ERA looks nice on paper, but the advanced metrics tell a different story.
That 4.45 FIP is not quite as shiny. And let’s not forget that he only logged 34.1 innings thanks to injuries. A nagging hip issue sidelined him, and eventually, surgery ended his season in late August.
That said, the Mets are banking on the real A.J. Minter showing up in Queens—the one Braves fans watched dominate for years. If he’s healthy and back to his old self, this deal could look like a steal for New York.
A Tough Goodbye for the Braves and Their Fans
It’s another tough farewell for Atlanta in what’s shaping up to be a bittersweet offseason. Minter didn’t just play for the Braves—he wanted to stay with the Braves.
But as much as fans love the loyalty and nostalgia, baseball is a business, plain and simple. And the Mets came knocking with a bigger check.
This deal is a big win for Minter, who outperformed even MLB Trade Rumors’ projection of two years, $16 million. He did just fine with a little extra cash and an opt-out for flexibility.
It’s one more goodbye in an offseason full of them for the Braves. Fans are undoubtedly feeling the sting, and who can blame them? The 2025 squad is starting to look a little different, and it’s always hard to lose a guy who’s been such a staple.
