Entering the season, it looked like a foregone conclusion that the Rangers would make Mike Minor available on the summer trade market, but their 31-28 record and current presence in the thick of the AL Wild Card picture has muddied things, writes Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. At the very least, despite the fact that Minor is 31 years old and signed through 2020, the Rangers will have to at least explore the possibility of extending him, Grant surmises. At present, the team is in a strong position regardless; it’s easy to point to their record and proximity to a Wild Card spot in telling other clubs that they’d need to be blown away to consider a move. And if they’re able to sustain this play through late July, of course, then Minor will become a vital piece to a more legitimate push toward an unexpected playoff berth.
Minor, through 81 1/3 innings this year, has a 2.55 ERA with 9.6 K/9, 2.9 BB/9 and 0.89 HR/9. As Grant notes, his dominance actually extends back into 2018, when he closed out the year with a terrific 17-start stretch. About two thirds of respondents in last week’s MLBTR poll on Minor’s future felt the organization should trade him; they’ve gone 4-2 in the six games since.
Here’s more out of Arlington…
- Minor himself addressed the situation when talking with Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, acknowledging that he keeps up with trade rumors throughout the year. Minor feels that it’d be a mistake to make such a move with the Rangers playing well and voiced confidence that the team can continue to keep pace in its push for a postseason bid. “I know something could happen, but my honest opinion is if they do trade me, they’re going to go out there and buy a bunch of free agents this off-season,” said Minor. “Unless they’re getting young, controllable guys back.”
- Jose Leclerc is “getting close” to reclaiming the ninth-inning role, manager Chris Woodward said again this week (link via Wilson). Leclerc had an absolutely awful start to the season due to shaky control, but over the past month he’s notched a 1.76 ERA with a ridiculous 28-to-6 K/BB ratio in 15 1/3 innings of work (16.4 K/9). “I just love the kid so much,” said Woodward of Leclerc. “He wants to win so bad. He’s willing to do whatever we ask. He’s been pitching lights out. Just the command with his fastball and getting the weird swings with his changeup. Yeah, it’s getting close.”
- Delino DeShields connected with a walk-off single to cap a four-hit showing last night, and Wilson’s piece also looks at his chances of sticking on the roster. Woodward feels that DeShields’ swing “looks so much better and more efficient” after a brief reset in the minors. DeShields is getting another look at the moment due to injuries sustained by Joey Gallo and Willie Calhoun, but Texas will eventually have that trio, the resurgent Hunter Pence, Shin-Soo Choo and Nomar Mazara all in the mix for outfield and DH at-bats, creating a bit of a logjam. DeShields still needs to demonstrate that he can have some prolonged success, of course, but he’s off to a nice start in trying to force his way back into the mix. Notably, Wilson adds that Calhoun could begin a minor league rehab assignment next week.
c’mon rangers, you said leclerc was getting close to his closer role a while back!!! he’s been collecting dust on my fantasy team.. i need saves!!! lol
I don’t have leclerc, but I feel this comment…half of my reading on mlbtr is looking for news on my fantasy squad
I’ve said it a few times,Let it play out awhile longer, we’ve nothing to lose.
The way Minor has pitched for us over a one year period has been a starting top of the rotation pitcher, I did not say ace, but he’s pretty close if not there.
We have 3 starters pulling an awesome load at the moment and the offense is carrying itself, we just need another pitcher.
Hey if all else fails wheel and deal if we’re out come the deadline.
We will still need pitching when the new stadium opens in 2020
With the way the Braves staff has been pitching of late, I’d dangle minor to see if you can get one of their blue chip arms.
Rangers have been well run under Daniels, so he’s earned the benefit of the doubt for whatever direction he and the baseball ops staff goes in.
I can’t see Minor pitching at his current level past this contract and that doesn’t fit the Rangers timeline, so I’d trade him.
Looking at the last few games the Rangers bats may be cooling (yes, I saw the 12-11 loss). Let’s wait awhile before moves up or down should be considered…..
I see no reason to do anything crazy either way. I’m just happy to be competitive in a year where I expected none. Heck I might move Minor anyway at the right price, this team isn’t winning any WS.
Odor needs that AAA reset so badly!
Jorge78……..totally agree, he looks overmatched against everyone at the moment.
The rangers front office has been excellent since adding more front office personnel and having smarter people helping Daniels make better decisions then he was doing in the past. Rangers are closer to contending then what I thought months ago. Just stay on track and focus on developing players
Above all else this trade deadline the Rangers shouldn’t give up prospect capital to acquire rentals. A sneaky good long term strategy would be to sell off whoever isnt locked up long term (Cabrera, Forsythe, even Minor and some other guys I’m probably forgetting) then attach a B level prospect with Choo for an organizational filler player so they don’t have to eat as much money on Choo’s contract since it appears Gallo’s defensive home is in the outfield, not the infield. Then buy some pitching this offseason.
No rentals please.
How do the Rangers have the 9th best record in MLB? Their pitching before the season started looked like one of the worst patched up staffs in baseball.
Thats why they play the games my friend! Plus Lynn and Minor have been good, and we seem to have found a couple of useful young guys in Jurado and Sampson. Not the same rotation that started the year at all.
Absolutely agree…that and with Gallo they have one best scoring offenses in baseball.
I have read all the comments from all the posters on this page and all I can say is whew, All great comments.
I’m so glad I’m not the G.M. Of this team because as chris44 states it is a different rotation now and it’s working to a certain point( Smyly) is the exception.
We are currently hanging in there so do we sit pat and play it out for another month or trade trade trade the whole lot of them. Our offense is clicking with the best of them and still number one in runs per game,last I checked.
All the offense and we still have a couple still not contributing much (Odor) and Mazara is not up to potential. Our bench is awesome and carrying a huge offensive load.
So where does this team go?
I was against calling up the rookie Joe Palumbo, But I’m curious to see how he does. I believe if he does good Saturday that he’s gonna take Smyly’s spot in the rotation, if he coughs it up he will be sent back to the fame.
Here’s to my boys of summer winning a few from The Athletics this weekend.