The New York Mets entered the year with one of the highest payrolls in all of Major League Baseball and ended it with a surprising disappointment when they failed to qualify for the postseason.
As a result, the team will have some challenging roster questions to answer. Homegrown slugger Pete Alonso has announced that he will opt out of his contract, and the Mets will have to decide if they want to make a competitive offer to ensure his return. Plus, the team will surely look to upgrade its starting rotation after a series of injuries and setbacks drove its early exit.
But no unit will see more turnover than the bullpen, with the trade deadline additions of Gregory Soto, Ryan Helsley and Tyler Rogers headed to free agency. Several other key members have contract options, though it seems pretty clear what A.J. Minter will do with his option after a disappointing debut season with the Mets.
“Expect A.J. Minter, who missed the majority of the 2025 season with a torn lat, to opt in for $11 million,” per Andrew Tredinnick of NorthJersey.com.
Minter joined the Mets last winter on a two-year, $22 million deal and it seems his return for next season will be a no-brainer. He maintained a 1.64 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 11 relief innings for the Mets before being injured, and he finished a game after earning double-digit saves as a closer for the Atlanta Braves just two years ago.
With Minter set to return, the Mets face their biggest bullpen decision over Edwin Diaz, who might exercise his own option and force the team to contemplate an expensive reunion. If the Mets end up cutting ties with Diaz, that could be a sign that they believe Minter will be able to perform as a high-leverage option for next year.
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