Former Minnesota Twins Reliever Receiving Interest From Former Team

A.J. Minter is barely four months removed from being traded away from New York, and the Mets are already interested in bringing him back.

Jon Heyman of The New York Post reported the Mets’ interest in the free-agent left-hander on X. New York traded Minter to the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline for minor-league infielders Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick. He became a free agent in late October.

Minter gave both teams what they needed in 2026. With the Mets, he posted a 2.35 ERA across 23 appearances, allowing 21 hits and striking out 20 in 23 innings. After the trade, he posted a 2.78 ERA in 25 appearances for Minnesota, striking out 21 in 22 2/3 innings. For a reliever who threw only 11 innings in all of 2025 due to a severe left lat tear, that workload is a huge step forward.

Minter also has a strong career resume which explains why teams keep coming back to him. Minter was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the second round in 2015. He made his MLB debut in 2017 and spent eight seasons with the Braves before signing with the Mets.

He was part of Atlanta’s 2021 World Series championship team and owns a 3.15 ERA with 477 strikeouts across 445 career appearances. His best season came in 2022, when he posted a 2.06 ERA with 94 strikeouts in 70 innings across 75 games.

Minter has spent plenty of time injured throughout his professional career. He underwent Tommy John surgery in college. He underwent left hip labrum surgery in August 2024. As previously mentioned, he pitched just 11 innings in 2025. Even this year, he missed some time with left hip discomfort. He stayed healthy after May 26, but any team committing to him will have to take into account he is 33 years old and has struggled to stay on the field.

New York finished 74-88 and last in the NL East. The Mets traded multiple relievers at the deadline and need to rebuild the bullpen from scratch. Minnesota finished 77-85 and also missed the postseason. Left-hander Taylor Rogers is also a free agent heading into the winter and Anthony Banda is still recovering. Both teams have a case to bring him back.

The CBA expires Dec. 1 with a lockout looming, which adds a sense of urgency to every free-agent negotiation this month. Minter is likely looking at a one-year deal with a club option given the injury history, but he could also land a two-year commitment. Wherever he lands, the production has been there.