NY Mets rumors: 1 lefty reliever they should trade for right now

One of the biggest strength for the New York Mets in 2025 has been their bullpen. While being able to trust the bullpen is new for Mets fans, it's been a main catalyst for their success. Currently the bullpen has an ERA of 3.26, eighth best in the majors and third best in the National League. They also have a WHIP of 1.18 which is ninth best in the majors and fourth in the National League.

A big reason for the bullpen's success has been AJ Minter's efficiency. Through 11 innings, he's pitched to a 1.64 ERA with 14 strikeouts to five walks, a 1.000 WHIP, and an ERA+ of 243. However, Minter's season could be over just as quickly as it began, as he was recently diagnosed with a left lat strain and might need season-ending surgery.

With Minter on the shelf, it leaves a glaring hole in the pen. One that can not be filled by what the Mets currently have in the organization. They will have to make a trade to make up for the loss of Minter. Someone who can fill that role is Justin Bruihl, a veteran lefty in the Blue Jays organization. But why does Bruihl help fill the hole left by Minter?

Why Justin Bruihl will help fill the hole left by AJ Minter

At first glance, Bruihl does not appear to be someone who can replace Minter. Through 11 and a 1/3 innings in Triple-A Buffalo, he has an ERA of 5.56 with 13 strikeouts to three walks, and a WHIP of 1.32. While these numbers look bad, they don't tell the whole story. Bruihl's numbers are being hindered by two bad outings in which he allowed eight runs, six of which earned over three and a third innings. Before that, he had an ERA of 1.29 and a WHIP of .710.

While he has pitched decently, many will be quick to point out this is a small sample size in Triple-A and that his MLB stats do not show an elite pitcher. Over his four MLB seasons, he has pitched 76 innings with an ERA of 4.62, 51 strikeouts to 25 walks, a 1.276 WHIP, and an ERA+ of 93. While these are not terrible stats, many would say they're not good enough to replace Minter.

However, the Mets have become one of the go-to destinations for turning pitchers' careers around. Jeremy Hefner and the pitching lab have been great at finding what's been ailing a pitcher and making them better.

The problem seemed pretty obvious for Bruihl. His sinker has been hit hard over his four seasons in the majors, with hitters having a wOBA of .381 and an opposing batting average of .343. If the Mets can fix that pitch or get Bruihl to abandon that pitch, his numbers would drastically improve.

Bruihl also fits the type of reliever the Mets have been using in 2025. There has been a big emphasis this season on relievers going multiple innings. We've seen this with guys like Max Kranick, Huascar Brazoban, and Jose Butto. Bruihl is comfortable going more than one inning in four of his nine outings and even going as far as two innings twice.

Although Bruihl might not be everyone's first choice to replace Minter, he has the talent to lessen the blow. He could be a guy who can help the Mets continue to be one of the best teams in baseball.