Mets' bullpen likely to be major focus of upcoming fire sale

A.J. Minter was standing by his locker stall on the right-side row in the home clubhouse Friday night at Citi Field before the Mets-Dodgers game. But it likely isn’t going to be his locker stall for much longer. And this reliever knows that.

The Mets have a “For Sale” sign up heading toward the trade deadline on Aug. 3 because these sellers haven’t been winning.

“I wish it could be different, obviously,” Minter told Newsday. “But at the same time, selfishly I want to go compete for a World Series. And hopefully I can get that opportunity. That’s all you can ask for. That’s why we play this sport, to win.”

The Mets sat at 43-61 after falling 4-2 to L.A. There aren’t a lot of untouchables here.

“I’m extremely disappointed that we’re in this situation,” said David Stearns who, as president of baseball operations, is the architect of this team, which should look a little different come a week from Monday.

Stearns will begin retooling with the intent of contending next season. Many of the guys don’t know if they’re going to shortly have a new address, and the ones who are sure they are, obviously can only wonder where.

They are all left to deal with the uncertainty.

Minter, for one, knows he’s a very logical candidates to go because he has an expiring contract. The 32-year-old lefty and second-year Met, who was at 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA over 22 games entering the weekend after returning on May 26 from last year’s left lat surgery, is hoping he will be worth “a little prospect” for the Mets as part of the exchange rate.

But how is he coping with the idea that the end here is almost surely coming? Basically with acceptance.

“It’s all new for me,” Minter said. “But I’ve been in this game long enough. I know how it goes. It’s a business. I know where we stand as a team and the direction we’re going. I think I’m viewing it as an opportunity.

“Of course, I want to help this organization out as much as I can. They’ve done everything for me. They’ve taken care of me. I’ve been through two big surgeries. I wish I could’ve done more, obviously.”

Juan Soto (who sustained a Grade 2 left calf strain Friday night and was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday) and four young guys, outfielders Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing and starters Nolan McLean and Christian Scott, should be able to sleep soundly. Maybe also promising rookie lefty Zac Thornton.

Perhaps Francisco Lindor, too. Stearns indicated Lindor is part of the core, although he wouldn’t rule anything in or out for any specific player despite this one having a no-trade clause and five-plus years left on his 10-year, $341 million contract.

“I think we’re all professionals,” Minter said regarding the clubhouse atmosphere. “We all know where we’re at.

“But I do expect this team to go out there and compete every day [after the deadline]. There’s a lot of young talent in this room [that] the fan base and the organization have a lot of hope for. And I fully expect them to go out there and develop these guys and prepare for the future and just keep playing for each other.”

Fellow reliever Brooks Raley also figures to have his expiring contract sent elsewhere. The bullpen could take even more hits. Luke Weaver is an attention-grabber. He has excelled and is signed for 2027. Huascar Brazoban could be an attractive chip, too.

“It’s definitely sad to break up this group,” Minter said, “but I’ve enjoyed my time here as well.”

From the rotation, Freddy Peralta didn’t live up to the advertising in this walk year and is expected to be sent outbound.

Then there’s Clay Holmes. The steady 33-year-old righty is due back soon after recovering from a fractured fibula. He can opt out after the season. He’s open to an extension, but when asked about the status of talks, he said, “I don’t think there’s been a ton there.”

He could make another rehab start and then make his next major-league start for another team.

“It’s a unique scenario,” Holmes said. “… Sometimes, it’s easy to let your mind wonder.”

Outfielders Luis Robert Jr. and Tyrone Taylor could draw interest. From the infield, Bo Bichette could as well. But his situation is complicated with an opt out after this season and next included in his three-year, $126 million deal, plus a no-trade clause.

Francisco Alvarez and Luis Torrens should be attracting attention, but it could be hard to adequately replace those catchers.

Certainly, Andy Green knows this isn’t an easy time with all the trade talk.

“It’s human nature to think about what happens next in life before you get there,” the interim manager said. “… I have those conversations with every guy that’s name gets bandied about. I tend to go to [him] and say, ‘I’m not going to bring this up, but if you want to talk about anything, I’ll tell you everything I know at any moment you’d like to know it.’

“I think all of them realize the healthiest thing for them is not to be focused on that and to just be focused on their work every day and be focused on winning a baseball game.”

And as for Minter, well, he’s open to re-signing, saying this organization wants to win.

“That’s not the case with every organization,” Minter said. “So I would definitely entertain the idea of coming back here.”