The availability of Rangers lefty Mike Minor remains a key topic in the development of the 2019 summer trade market. The 31-year-old southpaw is among several quality veteran hurlers who could — but may not necessarily — end up on the move in the next two weeks.
Texas GM Jon Daniels has suggested that the club’s approach won’t be swayed too much by the standings, but it’s hard to ignore that as a factor. Entering play today, the Rangers sat 8.5 games back of the Astros, in third place in the AL West, and four games out of Wild Card position with four clubs in better position to claim the two play-in game slots.
Under the circumstances, MLB.com’s Jon Morosi seems to be stating the obvious when he writes that the Texas front office is “increasingly open-minded” about spinning Minor off in a trade. Indeed, that’s very nearly exactly how Daniels himself has publicly characterized the matter, indicating that says he’s hesitant but can’t rule out a trade involving Minor.
That’s not pleasing news for the veteran southpaw himself, as MLB.com’s TR Sullivan reports. Minor says that rumors of a sell-off “make us mad.” It sounds as if he’d rather stay and fight down the stretch. “I don’t want to go anywhere,” said Minor. “My name was talked about in the offseason, so I’m used to it. It seems like ever since I signed, I’ve been a topic. It’s like I signed here just to be traded.”
While that is something of an exaggeration, it’s not entirely untrue. Minor was a widely pursued pitcher when the Rangers nabbed him by promising him a chance to start and making a three-year commitment. The contract has worked out better than even the most optimistic predictions. With the Texas club still in a transition phase, it has fielded persistent interest in Minor — whose appeal is enhanced by his quality results this year (2.73 ERA in 122 innings) and affordable 2020 contract rights ($9.5MM).
Given their recent slide, the question is probably a fairly straightforward one for the Rangers, who value Minor for the same essential reasons that most other clubs do. They’ll simply wait to see if they’re offered enough young talent to give up the chance to keep a very good hurler at a nice price for the opening year of their new ballpark. If not, they can comfortably hang onto him.
I really like Minor and would hate to see him traded. That being said…they have to think long hard about it if they get a decent offer. The Rangers are at least a season or two away from contending and they need to restock their farm system.
So, what’s a decent offer??
ATL has an abundance of upper level minors SPs. Wright or Anderson obviously get a trade done. Wilson/Allard/Gohara also could be quality prospects that would be of interest to the rangers. Obviously ATL may not wanna give any of them up but if the opportunity to swap from a surplus to fill an immediate need and to trade from a surplus is there it seems like a good match.
MIL was rumored but idk if the rangers would sell just to get prospects back, theyd want pitching. PHI would probably have Medina’s name called as the headliner and i wouldnt be shocked if they asked for one more of their AAA SPs like Santos/Romero/Saurez.
Basically, Theyre gonna want 2 pitching prospects with 1 of them being pretty much ready to take the ball every 5th day.
Personally, ATL makes the most sense. A big trade of Minor and Danny Santana( 922 OPS and can play basically all 7 positions) for Wright and 1 more pitcher outside their top 5 (Muller/Wentz/Ynoa) would be a reasonable win for both.
Atlanta bolsters the rotation and has Minor next year, Santana would be a boost over Camargo. Wright hurts to lose, but Anderson is still there and you have until 2021 to let Wilson/Allard/Gohara/Muller/Wentz/Ynoa all try to develop to take his place.
We have 2 guys who play everywhere. Zero need for a 3rd. Find a stable reliever and that may get our attention. We will give you a Chipper Jones autographed ball for Minor. We had him before – reason why he isn’t here. Not sending top pitching prospect- let alone other assets in addition- for him. Go talk to SD. They make dumb moves.
You had him before and theres a reason why he isnt there now. got it yeah who doesnt want good pitching….
From 7/1/2018 his line is 14-8 194IP 3.07ERA. I gotta imagine prior to getting hurt 2014 you were all complaining about his 13-9 204IP 3.21ERA season he put up for you in 2013…. You can have pride in your prospects and and say you dont want to pay for guys thats fine. But lets not kid ourselves that Minor would be the SP2 for you, give you 2 Aces, and gives you one of the best rotations in baseball with Soroka, Minor, Keuchel, Fried, and Terehan.
And yeah Carmargo’s bat really plays great with a 233avg and a whopping 635OPS over 150ABs. No one would ever want to replace that with 316avg 922OPS. As long as they can put an infield and outfield glove on their good.
Not for top prospects – no. You are talking like this is going to be Tex version 2. I don’t care how well he is pitching – this is Mike Minor on the 2nd half of his career – if not the last 1/4.. Braves mid tier prospects equal top prospects on other teams. “Altanta has an abundance of … ” remember that? Your comments above are hilarious. Keep your trash – Braves will use those top prospects in a package for a true #1 or #2 PLUS a relief pitcher or 2. Carmargo is fine – he backs up Dansby great and can start on half the other teams. BA is victim of playing time cut down with Donaldson acting like an MVP now and Austin Riley mashing from LF. “As long as they can put an infield and outfield … ” >> what ???!! Make zero sense. Braves are fantastic on the field and the bench. Pitching is what we are after – real 1 or 2 plus pen help. Tell San Diego or Philly we say hi. #chopon
Agree, Minor should stay. Knowing Daniels, he usually gets “took” by other more experienced and savvier GM’s. Daniels has a very poor track record in trades and drafting new talent. Signing Odor to that obscene contract is one indication of his ineptness as a talent evaluator.
If they trade Minor, they will be more than a year or two away from being competitive. If they want to build up the minor league system with prospects, then they won’t be competitive at all any time soon. That’s not a very smart way to open the season in the new ball park. I think trading Pence, Mazara, Choo, Odor or any non-pitching minor leaguers for a non-rental starting pitcher b4 the deadline is a better move. Then in the off season sign any one of the top FA starting pitchers. I think Fielder’s salary comes off the books after this year, and Choo has one more year left. (They’ll be paying for Arod for a long time).
They have to trade him when they can get something for him. He is for sure going to decline after this season or so
Minor might be the best bang for your buck out there on the SP market imo.
Anyone looking for a quality arm at what will surely be a good price need not look any further. Texas probably wouldn’t break the farm for him and he’s a much underrated arm. A contender needs to strongly look at him for the stretch and playoffs.
They most certainly will have a high asking price or they won’t do it. Another year of control and is cheap. Better back up the truck.
Have you looked at his peripherals? Nobody is backing up any truck for Minors lucky first half. If Texas doesnt like the offers that they will get in reality then they can enjoy him next year too but as a pitcher that regresses into a no.3 or 4.
his periphials are not bad
Have YOU looked at his peripherals, especially in his home ballpark? Also, he pitched great the 2nd hald of last season too, so this isn’t about a “lucky 1st half”.
Lol you don’t have to back up a truck if you don’t want to. Just don’t expect an All Star SP. Texas doesn’t have to trade Minor. It’ll take a package headlined by a top 100 guy at least to get him.
Come on Twins trade for Minor, Bumgarner or Stroman
How bout Giles and stroman in a package deal
Didn’t he marry Linda Henning?
You are showing your age. Enjoy your time at the Junction.
As are you.
How is everything there in Hooterville?
Fine. I’m at Drucker’s store looking for Bobby Joe.
Who?