MILWAUKEE
Three years back, Brooks Lally was anxiously counting down the hours until the trade deadline while in Kansas City’s visitors’ clubhouse. He half-expected a call from the manager informing him of a trade from the Mets.
That call never came.
Now, in what seems to be the last year of his contract with the struggling team, Lally is coming to terms with the idea that by August 3, he might be moving on from the Mets.
His bullpen mate, AJ Minter, who will also be a free agent at the end of this season, shares similar sentiments regarding their futures with the Mets.
“This isn’t an ideal situation for us, and it’s not what we envisioned,” Lally expressed before pitching a scoreless eighth inning in the Mets’ 4-0 victory over the Brewers. “But reality is what it is.”
Both Lally and Minter form a strong left-handed duo in the bullpen, providing a solid asset for the team.
Lally, now 38, has played in 40 games this season, holding an impressive ERA of 2.02. He joined the Mets in a trade with the Rays before the 2023 season and re-signed last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Minter, 32, has made 20 appearances this season with an ERA of 1.80. He initially signed a lucrative two-year deal worth $22 million before last season but suffered a setback with a torn latissimus dorsi muscle in April. After returning in May, he has performed well, with his fastball now averaging 92.9 mph, down from 94.5 mph last year.
This is Minter’s first experience with a trade deadline while being part of a team likely to make moves. “I will keep giving my all until I’m told otherwise,” he said. “My goal is to keep winning for this team and to see where it leads.”
Both pitchers are excited about the possibility of joining a playoff race soon.
“There’s a sense of hope, and I think it’s what every player aims for when they don the uniform, regardless of which team it is,” Lally noted. “I wish I could have done more while here. I felt like I fell short last year due to rehab. We all share some responsibility for not meeting our goals this year, but we have to deal with where we stand now.”
Minter played for the Braves when they won the 2021 World Series and participated in 20 postseason games. “The hard work across those 162 games was truly rewarding,” he recalled. “There’s really no way to describe the postseason experience. That’s why we play. I’m excited for new opportunities, though it’s frustrating to witness our struggles this year.”
As Minter reflects on his time with the organization, he admits a sense of sadness. “The Mets changed my life. I came here hoping to win a World Series. With our talent, I genuinely believed we could. I feel for the organization; everyone—from ownership to players—wants to win. It’s just disappointing that we haven’t been able to deliver for the fans.”
Lally mentioned he never anticipated remaining with the Mets for four seasons. “But I feel stable in my role,” he said. “I believe I’ve been consistent. This division, I think, is one of the toughest in baseball. Citi Field has a unique atmosphere, and I’ve genuinely enjoyed my time here.”
