The Braves have a bullpen issue that is hard to ignore, and it has only gotten messier because of the way the rotation has forced the club to piece together innings. Atlanta needs relievers who can handle more than one frame, and with Robert Suarez unavailable until after the All-Star break, the relief group is stuck in a bad spot: too many imperfect answers, not enough clean ones, and high-leverage arms getting stretched thin.
One of the biggest holes is on the left side. Dylan Lee has been one of the best relievers in baseball right now, so the Braves are not looking to replace him.
But they also cannot keep leaning on him every time a tough left-handed hitter comes up. Dylan Dodd’s reverse splits do not solve that problem either.
That is where the trade deadline starts to matter. There should be left-handed relief help available, and one name that could surface is a familiar one: AJ Minter.
He has bounced back from injury trouble and is putting together a strong 2026 season, which makes him a logical target on paper. The catch is obvious and significant - he pitches for the Mets.
That alone makes this a tricky fit. Minter would check a lot of boxes for Atlanta.
He was a fan favorite, a key piece of the Braves’ 2021 World Series run, and someone the organization moved on from only after serious health concerns made them hesitate at his asking price. Alex Anthopoulos has never been shy about reunions, and Minter is highly regarded in the clubhouse.
The production is there too. Through 17 appearances this season, Minter has allowed just one earned run in 17 innings.
The money is not ideal - he is owed $11 million - but the Mets would likely have to eat some of that to get a meaningful return, and Atlanta has some flexibility if the right player comes along. The Braves are motivated to compete, and Minter fits a clear need.
But the in-division part changes everything. Even with the Mets’ playoff chances currently in the toilet, they are not exactly in a hurry to help the Braves make a postseason push.
They might not flat-out refuse, and they might want to do right by Minter, but that does not mean the price would be reasonable. With Minter pitching this well, there should be plenty of interest elsewhere, and that could drive the cost even higher.
Still, this is the kind of move that feels very much in Anthopoulos’ wheelhouse: a reunion with a player the fan base knows, a pitcher who is performing, and an obvious fit for a roster need. The only missing piece is extra team control, and even that could sort itself out. The bigger question is whether the Braves can get past the obstacle standing in the way of the deal in the first place.
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Braves Suddenly Linked To The Deadline Arm Fans Have Wanted
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Braves Rotation Pressure Is Putting Hurston Waldrep In The Spotlight
Hurston Waldreps place in the Braves rotation remains very much in flux as Atlanta tries to piece together a staff that has been battered by injuries and uneven performances. Manager Walt Weiss said the club is still sorting through its options, and Waldrep is part of that conversation after a season in which he has been asked to shoulder more than the Braves likely planned for when the year began.
The right-hander has also had to navigate the lingering effects of limited innings and his recovery from elbow surgery, which has made his recent struggles a little easier to understand but no less important for a team trying to stay afloat. Atlanta is weighing roster moves and even outside additions ahead of the trade deadline, and Waldreps next turn could say a lot about how long the Braves are willing to keep leaning on him while the rest of the rotation picture remains unsettled. [Read more 🡒]