The Mets are adding a serious jolt to their bullpen, signing left-hander A.J. Minter, reports SNY’s Andy Martino.
The deal, which is pending a physical, is for two years and $22 million and includes a player opt-out after the first season.
Minter will be one of the main late-inning bridges to Edwin Diaz.
The 31-year-old Minter was terrific for the Braves last season, with a 2.62 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with 35 strikeouts in 34.1 innings over 39 appearances.
During his eight-year career, all with Atlanta, he has a 3.28 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 348.2 innings to go along with a strikeout rate of 10.9 per nine innings.
Martino reported on Thursday that the Mets were moving on to a Plan B that likely didn’t include Pete Alonso.
They began executing that plan when they signed outfielder/designated hitter Jesse Winker on Thursday, and continued it with the inking of Minter.
It is not clear if Minter will be the Mets’ biggest bullpen acquisition, or if they are still attempting to sign another high-end bullpen arm such as Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, or Carlos Estevez.
Along with Diaz and Minter, the Mets’ bullpen this season is expected to feature Dedniel Núñez, Reed Garrett, and Jose Butto.
Other bullpen options include Sean Reid-Foley, Huascar Brazoban, Danny Young, Tyler Zuber, and Dylan Covey.
Read the full article here