Mets' $22 million reliever who bashed Yankees fans is a 'likely' trade candidate

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The New York Mets are logical trade deadline sellers.

Impending free agents on New York's roster are the most likely candidates to be moved before August 3.

That includes left-handed reliever A.J. Minter, writes MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

"A torn left lat muscle suffered last April kept Minter out of action for 13 months, but the left-hander has been excellent since making his debut on May 26," Feinsand wrote.

"Minter has a 1.71 ERA over 21 appearances, issuing only two walks in his 21 innings of work, though his velocity is down compared to recent years," the MLB insider added. "The 32-year-old, who is in the final year of his two-year, $22 million deal, is owed a little less than $4 million this season before becoming a free agent in the fall."

If the New York Yankees show interest in Minter, he may have to apologize to their fanbase first.

At Citi Field last January, Minter was one of a few Mets players who appeared at the Mets' Amazin' Day, which introduced newcomers to the roster.

In a clip posted by SNY, Minter said the following about his contract with the Mets and Yankees fans:

“You can tell these Mets fans, these are truly baseball fans. They get baseball, not like the other side of town," Minter said, per SNY's X post.

"You can tell these Mets fans, these are truly baseball fans. They get baseball, not like the other side of town."

- A.J. Minter

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillac pic.twitter.com/jjDngQU29G

— SNY (@SNYtv) January 25, 2025

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“These are the true die-hard fans, and they’re gonna be with you until the end. I got to face against y’all my whole career, and you always brought it every time, so we can’t wait to pitch for y’all now.”

Following Minter's Yankee fan diss, he probably hopes he doesn't find himself wearing pinstripes following the deadline.

Though he would surge from the bottom of the NL standings to a team with the second-best record in the AL.