Texas Rangers: Mike Minor Signed to Multi-Year Deal

As the Texas Rangers focus on Shohei Ohtani, it didn’t stop them from signing another pitcher. The Rangers added another weapon to their pitching staff, signing lefty Mike Minor to a multi-year contract. 

The details of the contract are yet to be released, but it’s known that Mike Minor has agreed to a multi-year deal, pending a physical. The Texas Rangers have not confirmed the deal yet.

Minor, a former Atlanta Braves top prospect, had success as a reliever for the Kansas City Royals last season. In 65 appearances, he posted a 2.55 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. He also struck out 88 batters in 77.2 innings, an impressive 10.2 strikeouts-per-nine.

Minor dealt with shoulder issues that required surgery that kept him out of baseball during the 2015-2016 seasons. A solid season with Kansas City last year could suggest his shoulder issues are behind him.

Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports that Minor will be transitioned back into a starting role with the Rangers. Minor was in the Braves’ rotation from 2010-2014. His best year came in 2013, when he went 13-9 with a 3.21 ERA in 204 innings. In five years in Atlanta, he was 38-36 with a 4.10 ERA.

This deal with Minor could be a nice pick up for the Rangers. It does depend on how the rest of the off-season goes, with the big question being if the Rangers can land Shohei Ohtani. Minor will be transitioned to the rotation, but is open to being used as a reliever, which could be big come playoff time.

Next: Beltre Moving to DH in 2018?

This signing gives the Rangers flexibility with their pitching, along with a pitcher that strikes out batters, something the Rangers desperately lacked in 2017. Depending on what the price tag is, this could be another potential steal like the Doug Fister signing.