AJ Minter has exercised his player option and will remain a Met in 2026, according to Jon Morosi.
Minter signed a two-year, $22 million deal with the Mets last winter, which included a player opt-out after
the 2025 season. The longtime Brave got off to a sizzling start in New York, allowing no runs in 12 of his 13 appearances before undergoing season-ending lat surgery in early May. If he stays healthy, the 32-year-old should be one of the more reliable bullpen arms in baseball, with his 5.5 fWAR since 2020 marking the fourth-highest among left-handed relievers over that span.
With the news that Edwin Díaz has opted out of his contract and elected free agency, Minter’s return to the back end of the bullpen becomes all the more important as the Mets plan for 2026. Brooks Raley, who has logged by far the most left-handed relief innings for the Mets since arriving in 2023, should also be returning alongside Minter by virtue of a $4.75 million club option for next season.
Díaz, Padres closer Robert Suarez, and Braves closer Raisel Iglesias are potential high-end targets for David Stearns this offseason, as well as the trio of relievers the Mets previously acquired at the trade deadline (Gregory Soto, Tyler Rogers, and Ryan Helsley).
