After an eight-year run with the Atlanta Braves, veteran left-handed reliever AJ Minter joined the NL East rival New York Mets this offseason, signing a one-year, $11 million with a player option for 2026. The Chicago Cubs were among a number of teams reportedly interested in the southpaw – and the latest report out of New York shows just how volatile the relief market can be.
Minter got off to a dominant start for the Mets, making 13 appearances and working to a sterling 1.64 ERA across 11 innings of work. But he recently hit the 15-day IL due to a left lat strain – and manager Carlos Mendoza called the injury ‘pretty significant’ and left the door open to the possibility Minter could miss the rest of the year.
Chicago had interest in a number of notable relief arms this winter, eventually landing on swinging a trade for former Houston Astros closer Ryan Pressly and then surrounding him with the usual mix of non-roster invitees and bounceback veterans like Ryan Brasier and Caleb Thielbar. Minter was on the higher end of the scale in terms of potential additions the team reportedly explored, but even he paled in comparison to the Cubs’ failed pursuit of Tanner Scott.
Obviously, the Cubs’ bullpen has left much to be desired, ranking 25th in baseball in ERA (4.81) and 24th in WHIP (1.47). But this injury, especially should it prove to be season-ending, offers a cautionary tale of over-investing in relievers.
The fluctuation in performance from year to year, not to mention the ever-present health risks, means front office have to be careful when choosing their spots.
The bullpen looks like an obvious area of focus for Jed Hoyer and Carter Hawkins with several months remaining until the July trade deadline. The hope is Pressly can put his lingering knee issues behind him and team up with Porter Hodge to solidify the late innings. If that happens, it makes envisioning the bridge from starters to the ninth easier, to say the least.
Minter has been a top relief arm for a long time. But a pair of IL stints last year with a left hip issue undoubtedly raised some alarms – now, a left lat strain could end his season before the first month is over. Don’t get me wrong: the Cubs could definitely use more weapons in the bullpen. Right now, though, it’s feeling like they may have dodged a bullet when it comes to this offseason target.