Texas Rangers: Five Possible Players to be Traded Before Deadline

LHP Mike Minor

Mike Minor is definitely the first name that comes to mind when considering a Rangers’ club that could be a seller. Minor has had a career year at the helm of Texas’ starting rotation earning him his first career All-Star nod. Minor leads the MLB in Pitching WAR according to Baseball Reference. In 18 starts, Minor has a 2.54 ERA with a 1.128 WHIP. He’s thrown 117 innings and racked up 115 strikeouts which alltogether, makes him a candidate for AL Cy Young.

The downside, which is a plus on the trade market, is that Minor still has another year under contract beyond 2019. That adds an extra caveat for Texas to deal with when evaluating whether to move the starter or not. Not only are you losing Minor for a potential playoff push this season, but you lose him as your ace for 2020 as well adding an extra hole to be filled. On the market, that extra year of control is a huge bonus for a buying team especially considering the team friendly salary he’s set to earn. If Texas decides to move Minor, they could get their biggest prospect haul in years likely bringing in an MLB Top 50 prospect along with another MLB Top 100 player. That combination would give the Rangers a new organizational top prospect and a top 5 player along with whatever added pieces a buying club would part ways with. Dealing Minor, while not ideal, could revamp a farm system that is desperate for top talent.

Possible Destinations: Yankees, Braves, Astros, Rays, Twins