Twins Bolster Bullpen by Acquiring A.J. Minter from Mets

The Minnesota Twins have strengthened their bullpen by acquiring left-handed reliever A.J. Minter from the New York Mets in exchange for minor league infielders Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick. This move comes as the Twins aim to solidify their relief options ahead of the trade deadline, while the Mets continue to reshape their roster amidst a challenging season.

Agbayani, the 19-year-old son of former Mets fan favorite Benny Agbayani, is a promising middle infielder who has shown potential despite injury setbacks. This season, he posted a .268 batting average in just 10 games for Fort Myers in low Class A. A sixth-round draft pick in 2025, Agbayani hails from Hawaii and is viewed as a player with a bright future.

On the other hand, 23-year-old Amick has had a more challenging season, batting .217 with 23 home runs across 86 games for Double-A Wichita, where he played both first and third base. A second-round draft pick in 2024, Amick provides the Mets with additional infield depth as they look to rebuild.

Minter, who has been sidelined for significant stretches in recent seasons, brings a wealth of experience to the Twins’ bullpen. With a 2.35 ERA over 23 innings this year, he has struck out 20 batters while issuing only two walks. After making his season debut on May 26, Minter is looking to regain his form following a lengthy absence due to injuries, including surgery for a left lat muscle issue that cut his 2025 season short.

Having signed a two-year, $22 million contract with the Mets in 2025, Minter’s journey has been marked by ups and downs, including a torn labrum in his left hip that hampered his 2024 season with the Atlanta Braves. When healthy, he has been recognized as one of baseball’s most effective late-inning lefties. Over his career, Minter has accumulated a 3.18 ERA, with 456 strikeouts across 382 2/3 innings in 420 appearances, showcasing his capability in high-pressure situations.

As the Mets sit with the second-worst record in the National League, Minter’s trade may signal the beginning of further roster changes for the team. For the Twins, this acquisition comes as they embark on a nine-game road trip, currently holding a 4.92 relief ERA, which ranks fifth worst in the majors. Despite their struggles in the bullpen, the Twins lead the American League in runs scored and find themselves just one game out of a wild card spot.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.