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Grading the NY Mets trade of A.J. Minter to the Twins for two prospects

How are we feeling about this deal?
Jul 24, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher A.J. Minter (33) reacts after allowing a two run home run to Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Kyle Tucker (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jul 24, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets relief pitcher A.J. Minter (33) reacts after allowing a two run home run to Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Kyle Tucker (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Remember when David Stearns traded for Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers on his anniversary? Here’s a good gift idea for his wife: getting up early to watch the sunrise. I doubt Stearns has seen one in a while because he has a knack for making New York Mets trades at odd times.

At least the MLB trade deadline showed a sign of life when Thursday night concluded with A.J. Minter getting traded to the Minnesota Twins. Two prospects were added, the Mets bringing infielders Billy Amick and Bruin Abgayani. Yes, of that same clan.

The deal is down. What grade do we give it?

This Mets trade gets a B-

A pair of ranked prospects from the Twins system seems satisfying and a real wake-up call as to what we can expect moving forward with other potential deals. Brooks Raley should have a very similar result, maybe less or more depending on how much his smaller salary factors in.

Amick is hitting .217/.338/.482 in Double-A this year. What’s most impressive are the 23 home runs. Likely another Mark Vientos who’ll move off of third base and become a first baseman, the addition of power to the Mets farm system where there isn’t a whole lot should be welcomed. The Mets will need him to cut down on the strikeouts, at 34% per at-bat this year with 18 in 313. He does walk often to erase a few of the swings and misses.

Agbayani is the featured player because of his connection to popular former Mets outfielder, Benny Agbayani. This Agbayani plays shortstop and third base but has only 15 professional games under his belt due to injury. He played 5 last season and another 10 in 2026. It wouldn’t be fair to judge him on any statistics. At only 19-years-old, there’s time to figure it out with him.

Trade deadline deals involving relievers on expiring contracts don’t typically remake your farm system for the better. This wasn’t a lame “what are you thinking?” type of move by Stearns. Nor was it a brilliant one unless the whole goal in 2026 has been to collect as many second-generation players. We can only hope this Agbayani can even match what Bo Bichette has given us.

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