Mets' Top Trade Candidate Is a $22 Million Pitcher No One is Talking About

In January 2025, the New York Mets poached pitcher A.J. Minter from the Atlanta Braves in free agency on a two-year, $22 million contract. Since then, the left-hander has spent more time on the injured list than on the Mets’ active roster.

Few are talking about Minter as a potential trade candidate as the Aug. 3 deadline approaches. Yet with the Mets struggling to a 23-33 record through May 27 - closer to the bottom of the National League than the Wild Card race - no pitcher looks more likely to leave Queens via trade than Minter.

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There would be a Mets-like tinge of tragicomedy to trading a pitcher who’s made all of 14 appearances since he signed a big-money contract. But it’s increasingly looking like the smart move - with plenty of teams likely to be interested in Minter, who’s been excellent when healthy.

Minter is a free agent at the end of the season. That holds particular appeal to owners who don’t want to be on the hook for a bloated salary beyond 2026, broadening Minter’s market.

Perhaps most critically, Minter is healthy again. He was activated from the 60-day injured list on May 26 and promptly threw a scoreless inning against the Cincinnati Reds in his 2026 debut.

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While the Mets might want to strike while the iron is hot, interested teams might want to see Minter get a few more solid appearances under his belt first. He was limited to only 11 appearances in 2025 by a lat injury that ultimately required season-ending surgery.

After a slow ramp-up in spring training, Minter dealt with hip discomfort that further delayed his return. But his scoreless debut gave Minter a 1.50 ERA in 14 appearances since signing with the Mets.

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Overall, Minter has a 3.22 ERA and 2.85 FIP since his 2017 debut with the Atlanta Braves. He might not fetch much of a return by way of prospects - but that shouldn’t deter the Mets, who did not place a single player in the updated Top 50 prospect rankings released by The Athletic on May 28.

MLB Pipeline ranks two Mets prospects among its Top 100. But both infielder A.J. Ewing and pitcher Jonah Tong are on the Mets’ active roster and could soon see their “prospect status” expire.

The Mets are just as likely to miss the postseason with Minter as without him. They might as well try to acquire prospects for a player who can help a contending team in October.

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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 5:04 PM.