The New York Mets completed a trade late Thursday that brings a familiar name back into the organization.
The club sent relief pitcher AJ Minter to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for two minor league prospects, according to a report from Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
Those prospects are Bruin Agbayani and Billy Amick.
Mets supporters are likely to take special interest in Agbayani’s arrival. He is the son of Benny Agbayani, a former New York outfielder who became a cult favorite during his time with the team.
Benny Agbayani, now 54, spent four seasons with the Mets from 1998 to 2001. He posted a .282 batting average during his years in New York and contributed to the club’s run to the 2000 World Series.
Fans remembered him for timely power and his ability to deliver in pressure situations, earning him the nickname Hawaiian Punch. Bruin Agbayani is 19 years old and can play shortstop, second base and third base. The left-handed hitter was selected by the Twins in the sixth round of the 2025 MLB Draft, taken 179th overall.
This season in Single-A, he has hit .268 with a .743 OPS. The move places the younger Agbayani with the franchise where his father built lasting memories.
While the Mets continue to pursue larger deals ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline, the acquisition of Bruin Agbayani offers an immediate connection to the club’s recent past.
Minter provided the Mets with reliable relief work before the swap. The Twins gain a veteran arm for their bullpen in return for the two prospects.
Agbayani’s path to professional baseball followed a successful high school career in Hawaii, the same state where his father first developed as a player.
Benny Agbayani’s postseason contributions in 2000 remain highlighted in Mets lore, including key hits that helped advance the team. Now his son begins a new chapter inside the same organization.
The trade marks the first notable move for New York as the deadline approaches. Additional roster changes remain possible in the coming days as the Mets evaluate their options for the stretch run.
Fans already familiar with the Agbayani name may view the deal as a nostalgic addition even if the primary focus stays on broader roster upgrades.
Bruin Agbayani will report to the Mets’ minor league system and continue his development as an infielder. His left-handed swing and positional versatility give the organization another young piece to evaluate. The full-circle nature of the transaction stands out in a season filled with typical deadline maneuvering.
Benny Agbayani’s time in New York helped define an era for many supporters who still recall his clutch performances. His son now has the chance to carve out his own path under the Mets’ banner.
The deal was finalized in the late hours of Thursday, setting the stage for whatever further activity follows before next week’s cutoff.
