Braves Fan Favorite A.J. Minter Seeks to Stay in Atlanta as Free Agency Nears…
One of Atlanta’s fan favorites is hoping to continue his career with the Braves.
Despite being just a game behind the New York Mets for the final Wild Card spot in the National League, the Braves are having an unexpectedly rough season.
At the start of the year, the idea that New York might rival Atlanta in the NL East would have been laughable. Yet, here we are.
Injuries and underperformance have plagued the Braves this season, leaving them a shadow of their usual selves. Marcell Ozuna has been a rare bright spot, emerging as a top-five MVP candidate and the team’s only offensive All-Star. Beyond him, no other player has lived up to preseason expectations while staying healthy throughout the season.
What’s kept Atlanta afloat is their strong pitching, led by potential Cy Young winner Chris Sale, with All-Stars Reynaldo Lopez and Max Fried also stepping up.
Regardless of whether the Braves make the playoffs, this offseason will challenge the team’s management, especially General Manager Alex Anthopoulos, who faces several tough decisions to improve the roster.
Among those decisions is the future of upcoming free agent A.J. Minter, who is making his case to stay in Atlanta.
A.J. Minter Pushes for Long-Term Deal with Braves
Minter, a key figure in the Braves’ 2021 World Series victory, recently underwent season-ending surgery on his left hip. He has spent his entire eight-year career with the Braves, and both he and the fans hope that continues.
Speaking to the ‘Atlanta Journal-Constitution’, Minter expressed his gratitude for the team, saying, “[My time here has] been everything. The Braves took a chance on me after Tommy John surgery and helped me grow into the player I am today.”
Although Minter is open to free agency, he made it clear that staying in Atlanta is his top priority. Despite his injury, the 31-year-old reliever is likely to attract offers from multiple teams looking to strengthen their bullpens, given his experience and postseason success.
Before his season was cut short, Minter posted impressive stats, including a 2.62 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 39 appearances. His performance was even more notable given that he was battling persistent pain in his hip and lower back.
Now, the ball is in Anthopoulos’ court. While Minter may be open to a hometown discount, the Braves will need to present a competitive offer. With other high-profile free agents like Max Fried also in the mix, keeping Minter may be challenging.
However, given his status as a fan favorite and the threat of rivals like the Dodgers or Mets pursuing him, letting Minter go could be difficult to justify.
