Texas Rangers can parlay the Shelby Miller signing in multiple ways

More room to overcome a Mike Minor trade

With Shelby Miller in play, the Rangers have at least seven pitchers prepared to fill five rotation slots. The list includes Mike Minor, Lance Lynn, Drew Smyly, Yohander Mendez, Ariel Jurado, Edinson Volquez, and Miller. Thus, there is some flexibility.

Because flexibility exists, the Texas Rangers can afford to lose an arm, whether that be to injury, underperformance, or TRADE. We’re all aware of the Mike Minor trade rumors. Teams have expressed interest in the lefty, and the Rangers are in a position to trade him.

Has a trade become more likely now that Miller is part of the team? A case can certainly be made. It doesn’t necessarily mean Texas will trade Minor tomorrow or even before the end of the offseason. But it does mean they can trade him at some point, without having to frantically try to replace him.

The situation might work out best if Texas holds onto Minor for a few months so they can see how Miller progresses. With that said, the priority is acquiring young talent. Timing for Miller is irrelevant if the Rangers get a great offer for Minor.

Mendez and Jurado can further develop

The Rangers want to start Yohander Mendez and Ariel Jurado in the minor leagues this year. As the team is not expected to contend, it makes sense for the two young pitchers to get some additional developmental time.

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If the veteran starters are healthy and productive this spring, Texas can stay true to their plan for Mendez and Jurado. That is a big IF, however, as Smyly and Volquez are alongside Miller in their returns from TJ surgery. Any one of them could come back great or terrible; post-Tommy John is always difficult to predict.

Hopefully the experienced arms can at least start the season healthy so Mendez and Jurado can benefit in the minors before their inevitable call-ups. The longer Texas can avoid promoting either arm, the better (for the 2019 season).

If anything, the Rangers’ sudden bulk of starting pitching plays as a safety net to any struggles that come about. It allows them to carry out their plans for young players and players on the trade block.

Fingers crossed Miller has a good year

Basically, anyone the Texas Rangers sign that is above the age of 25 has a chance to be traded. That’s simply where they stand in the rebuilding process. They took the same approach last year, though, it didn’t work out.

Texas hoped they might strike gold with Bartolo Colon, Doug Fister or Matt Moore. A quality year from any one of them and the Rangers could have flipped them for a prospect or two. Instead, they got little-to-nothing from all three (besides a number of tireless Bartolo bloopers).

Shelby Miller is 28 years old; therefore, he could be traded if he holds value throughout the year. A revival year from Miller would definitely intrigue contenders as they look to bolster their rotations for the final stretch of the season and for the postseason.

If the Rangers can’t get what they want for Miller, there’s no shame in keeping him. They signed him for cheap; plus, they can always resign him in the offseason if he’s earned it.

The Miller signing is as much experimental as it is strategic. Nothing of what I just said matters if he gets hurt again or if he struggles mightily at the big league level. Though, setbacks from the right-hander won’t throw the Texas Rangers off track. They signed him for cheap, so any positive results he gives the team will come as a bonus to a low-risk move.