The Phillies were one of several teams linked to Rangers left-hander Mike Minor during offseason trade talks, and with the deadline approaching, “the Phillies continue to maintain interest in” Minor’s services, NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Corey Seidman writes.
Needless to say, Minor has only elevated his stock in the eyes of any interested parties in the wake of his strong 2019 season. Minor ranked 31st on MLBTR’s recent list of the top 60 trade deadline candidates, though the southpaw would rocket up the standings if the Rangers were to give a clearer indication that they were shopping Minor rather than retaining him for their own (perhaps fading) postseason push.
A four-game losing streak has dropped Texas to 9.5 games behind the Astros in the AL West and five games out of a wild card berth. The Rangers are still a solid 50-46 overall and they begin a three-game series against Houston on Friday. Plus, the Rangers also play the last-place Mariners four times before the July 31st trade deadline, so there’s even more of an opportunity to make up ground.
Rangers GM Jon Daniels has reportedly remained open to the idea of dealing Minor even with Texas on the outskirts of the race, since Minor represents such a major trade chip for a team that, realistically, is still closer to a roster reload (if not an outright rebuild) than they are to being legitimate contenders. Minor is under contract through the 2020 season and owed roughly $13.46MM between now and the end of his deal — between that extra year of control, the very reasonable salary, and Minor’s impressive performance, he should net a substantial haul in a trade.
With this in mind, the Phils would have to further deplete a minor league system that was already thinned out by some big offseason trades. Speculatively, Seidman writes that the Phillies might have to give up something like right-hander Spencer Howard, a young outfield piece (like Adam Haseley or former first overall pick Mickey Moniak), and probably a third prospect as well (if one of a lesser caliber) for Minor. Philadelphia has already received trade interest in Howard, its second-round pick from the 2017 draft who has thus far posted big strikeout numbers in his young career, though Seidman notes that the Phillies “have been uninterested in moving” Howard in response to these prior offers.
The Phillies are known to be looking at adding both starting and relief pitching at the deadline, with such names as Robbie Ray and Mychal Givens connected to the team in recent reports. Like Minor, these pitchers are all controlled beyond the 2019 season, which makes sense given the recent insinuation from team president Andy MacPhail that the Phillies weren’t likely to give up their top prospects for rental players.
Rangers have a glut of outfielders, and are in desperate need of pitching, infielders and a catcher.
They also have a ton of cash to acquire players this offseason. Third base can be addressed with a FA, as several options are there. Second base is a huge gap for Texas. Odor is not an option, nor do they have any legit near ready prospects in the minors. First base is also a big need, but the Rangers could get creative there.
I’m on the fence about trading Minor. If they do trade him, it needs to be for a haul of players. But if it makes sense, they need to pull the trigger.
The Rangers just traded for Nick Solak from the Rays. I would consider him a near-ready candidate at second base. You also have Danny Santana as an alternative going forward, though I really like him in a super utility role.
Yeah, I forgot about Solak being acquired while I was on vacation. Good callout on my oversight!
I think the phillies can pull off this trade without giving up top guys not named medina • hasley • moniak & Bohm.
Lol good luck with that
Yep. Many Rangers fans don’t want Minor traded at all. With affordable control in 2020, Texas isn’t trading him for some other team’s leftovers.
Some of those pieces would definitely have to be involved. I think the Phillies will do everything they can to hold on to Bohm, Howard, and Stott. Anyone else should be free game including Moniak, Haseley, and Medina in the right deals.
I think it comes down to who else besides Medina would be available. The rangers have Danny Santana and Hunter Pence to fill bench needs, and Shawn Kelley should be a reliever that could help solidify most bullpens as a 7th/8th inning guy.
I think if Philly is serious, They are going to have to offer Medina, and then give someone else that can help set in right away as well.
I think a trade ideally looks like Minor plus a rental (Santana or Kelley) for Medina and De Los Santos. and i wouldnt be surprised if they demanded someone like Cole Irving as well considering Medina wouldnt be the highest profile center piece compared to what some other teams might offer.
Still if Philly is serious about going for it, Medina, De Los Santos, and Irving to pick up Minor through 2020 and Santana who would play up with his ability to play all 7 positions in the field would make them alot more threatening than they are today. Yes its steep, but you get the arm you need through 2020, and hes cheap enough he wont handcuff you in the offseason.
I’d do that deal in a heartbeat for the Phillies but don’t think it’s enough. Medina can be the main piece, EDL is a decent one, but Irvin doesn’t really carry any value. Bump up that third piece and maybe the Rangers bite? Beats me though.
Lol no.
Hahahahahaha.
I’d like the Rangers to keep both Minor and Lynn, and then add another start in the offseason. If they do trade I’d like it to be Forsythe, Danny Santana, Asdrubal Cabrera, Chris Martin and the like. Sure, we wouldn’t get much back for them but pitching is so hard to find. And we have Minor and Lynn to very team friendly deals which that in itself is worth it’s weight in gold. To replace Minor’s production in free agency would cost $20+ million per year. If we can add a solid number 3 or even better, we’d have decent shot at a wild card next year in our first year at the new stadium.
I woudn’t trade Santana. He’s 27 and under club control through 2021. If what we’ve seen this year is a career rebirth, he’s a major asset and a building block going forward.
Correction: He’s 28, but the point stands.
Howard, Moniak plus another piece would make this farm dangerously thin.
that would be too much for minor, a big over pay. I think Romero plus that other guy that was starting to heat up, I forget his name plus Randolph or jose pujols.
Overpaying is required to get guys at the deadline.
not for a starter like minor, he’s having a turn around seaosn. He’s not worth giving up medina & others. I would go with Romero or Howard plus others. Not medina.
sacrificing good prospects isn’t always overpaying.
Minor’s not having a turnaround season. He was really good from June on last year. It just took him some time to get back into the swing of starting after working out of the bullpen for the Royals. But he’s been consistently good since returning in 2017.
Howard is a better prospect than Medina at this point. I’d easily trade Medina before Howard.
No it wouldn’t considering their aren’t any TOR arms and he’s having a career year
Romero? don’t see teams lining up for him nowadays the way he’s been shelled this year
At this point, who cares about the farm. Who cares if it’s thin now it becomes dangerously thin later. The Phillies made their stance to win now. This is where Matt Klentak’s job becomes difficult. He better makes the moves necessary after the extension they just gave him
The team clearly needs help. Young prospects in your farm aren’t helping you now
please take Medina Gamboa and Brito for him. our org overrates them all so highly and they all suck.
Daniels better get a boatload or good luck explaining to a fan base for next season in a new ballpark.
Team that never seems to have pitching – and has an ace caliber or at least a 2nd – under a cheap contract and then trades him…
I have always been on team JD but a bad trade of Minor could flip me to the other side.
I think the Phillies could afford Hernandez to the Rangers along with say a Neris. Move Kingery to his natural position at second and the rangers also get an excellent second baseman along with a decent closer knappler spins the wheel on closers anyway. The Phillies get a pretty good 3 hole starter. We still need another outfield bat and bring Bohm up to play the corner(can’t do any worse than Franco) we are still right there for the WC
Why would the Rangers trade a pitcher controllable through 2020 for a second baseman controllable through 2020?
Wait, let me get this straight. You think you can get an All Star SP with control for a 30 year old 2nd baseman and a 30 year old mediocre reliever? Are you joking?
Another better LH option then Boyd