Texas Rangers: Three potential landing spots for Mike Minor

Decision time is nearing for the Texas Rangers. They have a valuable trade chip in Mike Minor; which teams are most likely to land him if he’s for sale?

The Texas Rangers will be involved in an intense game of chess this trade season. They have Mike Minor, who ranks second in the American League with a 2.54 ERA and second with a 5.8 WAR. The Cy Young candidate will most certainly be a coveted piece in the market. On the chess board, Texas will have to decide if he’s a King or a Queen.

As a King, he’ll be protected by all means necessary. The Rangers can deem Minor untouchable and carry on with their playoff hopes in 2019. Though, if another team infiltrates and takes the Rangers’ King, their playoff hopes will surely be sacrificed.

As a queen, Texas can take advantage of Minor’s versatility by leveraging him in every way possible. They can set their price, offering interested parties a pitcher who is amid a phenomenal season, under team control through 2020 and capable of improving a pitching staff to the point of a deep postseason run. They’ll wait for a team to take the bait, ensuring a checkmate through an overgenerous haul of prospects.

That’s the reality of the situation: Plenty of teams need Mike Minor, but any team that wants to tangle with the Rangers in trade talks must be willing to send at least two top-tier prospects.

Which teams fit the criteria?