Twins Acquire Lefty Reliever A.J. Minter from Mets for 2 Prospects

The Twins have declared themselves a buyer days before the August 3 MLB trade deadline. Following an unlikely series win over the Royals at Target Field, they're making their move. Late Thursday night, Jeff Passan tweeted that the Twins have acquired left-handed reliever A.J. Minter from the New York Mets. 

Minter, 32, has pitched to a 2.35 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 23 innings over 20 appearances this year. He signed a two-year, $22-million contract with the Mets before the 2025 season. The first year of that deal came to an end early in May, when he needed to have surgery on a torn left lat muscle. In 2024, he had surgery on his left hip labrum. Minter returned to the mound for the Mets at the end of May, though, and has looked strong. 

In return, the Twins will send corner infield prospect Billy Amick and middle-infield prospect Bruin Agbayani.  

Amick has been a borderline Top-20 prospect at Twins Daily throughout the last two years. The team's second-round pick in 2024, he was hitting .217/.338/.482 with 14 doubles, 23 homers and 72 RBIs at Double-A Wichita. 

Agbayani, son of former big leaguer (and, specifically, New York Met) Benny Agbayani, was the Twins' sixth-round pick in the 2025 draft. The 19-year-old was limited to just 10 games this season and hit .268/.412/.342 with two doubles. He had nine walks to just three strikeouts. Unfortunately, his season began late due to injury and after those 10 games, he went back on the IL and has not played since. 

What are your thoughts on the trade? Another lefty reliever, low-30s, with good stuff and an injury history the last few years for two intriguing prospects outside of the Twins' Top 20 prospects. 

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