The Mets made a transfer for some much-needed reduction assist Friday with the free agent signing of Minter, a 31-year-old who has spent his complete profession with the Braves. In 348 2/3 innings pitched, all with the group that drafted him within the second spherical in 2015 out of Texas A&M, Minter has posted a 3.28 profession ERA (131 ERA+) with 36 saves. Minter has been a go-to arm for Atlanta in high-leverage innings during the last 5 seasons, however a hip damage ended his 2024 marketing campaign in August.
Final season, Minter was efficient till present process labrum surgical procedure, however the underlying numbers have been regarding. His velocity decreased from 95-96 to 93-94 and he was unable to overlook bats on the similar fee as effectively, placing out a career-low 9.2 hitters per 9 innings. He additionally struggled to suppress residence runs, giving up six in solely 34 1/3 innings for a career-worst mark of 1.6 per 9 innings.
The hip was doubtless the wrongdoer. Minter tried to delay surgical procedure earlier than free company, however after pitching by what he referred to as “excruciating pain” he underwent an intensive process in Nashville to restore a labral tear and a hip impingement, and take away a lesion on the femur. It’s unclear whether or not or not Minter will begin spring coaching wholesome, however he informed Atlanta reporters in September that anticipated to have a traditional offseason.
Ought to he return to previous kind, he’ll have the ability to decide out of his contract after 2025 and check out free company once more.
Mets starter David Peterson had an analogous process final fall and returned to have a profession yr. The left-hander had a breakout season pitching with out ache, ending with a sub-3.00 ERA and a career-best 1.289 WHIP.
Minter throws a four-seam fastball with good rise, a cutter and a changeup. He joins a bullpen group headlined by nearer Edwin Diaz and returning high-leverage right-handers Reed Garrett and Dedniel Nuñez, each of whom seemingly got here out of nowhere final season to change into scouting success tales for the Mets. Proper-handers José Buttó, Sean Reid-Foley, Huascar Brazobán and Dylan Covey, and left-hander Danny Younger may also be within the bullpen combine.
The Mets have additionally proven curiosity in nearer Tanner Scott, the highest reliever in the marketplace, and whereas two left-handed high-leverage arms sounds attractive, it’s unlikely the Mets signal each. There was some curiosity in Scott on the commerce deadline, however finally the Mets went for supplemental upgrades as an alternative of going huge.
These upgrades paid off throughout a summer season stretch that noticed the Mets get into the playoffs in the future after the official finish of the common season, however the reduction corps struggled to carry leads and maintain video games shut late within the postseason.
Minter is the second addition for the Mets this week, with the membership bringing again DH/outfielder Jesse Winker on a one-year deal Thursday.
