Last offseason’s big NY Mets free agent reliever purchase is on shaky ground

When the New York Mets signed A.J. Minter last winter, they looked to be adding a dynamic left-handed setup man, and for a little bit, that's exactly what they received.

Minter began the 2025 season with a 1.64 ERA and 31.8% strikeout rate over his first 11 innings of the season. But after that first month of dominance, Minter went down. A severe lat tear would knock Minter out of commission and ultimately end his season.

The bullpen suffered as a result. By the trade deadline, David Stearns had to revamp the setup staff, trading for Tyler Rogers and Gregory Soto, but wishing he had Minter available for the stretch run.

Now Minter's status for 2026 opening day is unclear, leading to a lot of unease in Queens.

A.J. Minter's status for opening day is in doubt, leading to multiple concerns for the Mets

The bullpen became a sore spot down the stretch, and now things are starting to look even murkier. So far, the Mets have downgraded dramatically at closer with Edwin Diaz moving out to Los Angeles to play for the Dodgers, and Devin Williams bringing his Bronx meltdown act across town, presumably to serve as the closer.

Williams made a lot more sense as a gamble as a setup man as opposed to a closer, upping the pressure for the club to find not only a reliable setup man, but a potential ninth-inning alternative should Williams continue to falter.

Minter, while never a full-time closer, could have helped alleviate some of those concerns, but now he has to be considered a question mark. The Mets have other left-handed options, but the likes of Brooks Raley and Richard Lovelady aren't quite the high-leverage weapons that Minter has been in his career.

That should make adding another high-leverage southpaw to the fold a priority at minimum, as the club needs to hedge their bets against any kind of setbacks in Minter's return to the mound, as well as the possibility that he struggles to return to form after such a devastating injury.

The real tragedy is the prospect that the Mets could receive next to nothing for their investment. Minter's deal isn't astronomical, but at $11 million per season it isn't an insignificant price to pay. The deal was only for two years, so if Minter battles injuries again, the Mets could walk away with $22 million spent for very little in the way of a return.