Before hitting the free agent market, Atlanta Braves reliever AJ Minter is changing agents.

He is parting ways with Excel Sports Management and will now be represented by the Bledsoe Agency.

The agency he’s leaving may look familiar to Braves fans. They currently represent former Braves Dansby Swanson and Jason Heyward and represented Freddie Freeman.

In 39 appearances with the Braves in 2024, he has a 2.62 ERA with a 1.02 WHIP and 35 strikeouts.

It’s a calculated move, as Minter looks to put himself in the best position for 2025. Perhaps he’s also trying to make sure he has representatives working in his best interest.

I separated best interest from putting him in the best position, because someone may have your best interest in mind and not always put you in the best position.

Take Freeman for example. Excel led free agent contract negotiations this offseason that saw him leave the Braves and sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. After an emotional return to Atlanta during his first year with the Dodgers, Freeman fired his agent.

Regardless of how things played out – it was rumored that his agent at Excel had not properly kept Freeman in the loop, but this was denied – Freeman was unhappy with the way his negotiations were going to the point that ‘he moved on.

Minter might just want to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible this offseason as he makes his first trip to free agency. This didn’t go well for a former teammate and it may have left an impression on him.

There isn’t much information about his new agency to indicate what might change. When you go to Bledsoe’s site, there is only email. The LinkedIn page claims to have “over 20 years of experience representing elite professional baseball players.”

Whatever their pitch, he sold Minter.

All that remains to be seen is whether he will re-sign with his current club.