Texas Rangers: Mike Minor shows Yankees what they’re missing

Heavily rumored to be on the move in July, no move materialized for Mike Minor and the Texas Rangers. Now, Minor is showing contenders what they’re missing.

In case you missed it, Mike Minor threw a gem yesterday. One of many he’s thrown this season and plenty more he’ll likely throw next year after a trade failed to materialize in July. Numerous contenders were linked but the ace of the Texas Rangers stuck around through mutual decision and he’s showing fans now what they’ll likely get to see next season.

Yesterday, not only did he give Rangers fans another enjoyable pitching performance, he also showed the New York Yankees, a team heavily linked to Minor, what they could’ve had. In a rain delayed start yesterday, Minor looked as good as ever for Texas. Minor threw 7.1 shutout innings allowing just five hits and a walk while striking out five on his way to his 12th win of the season and a combined shutout for the Rangers that represented the first time the Yankees had been shutout since June of 2018.

As of right now, Minor looks a lock to front Texas’ rotation in 2020 as they aim to challenge for a playoff spot next season. He’s in the midst of a stellar season in which he’s posted a 3.12 ERA and leads all pitchers with a 7.7 bWAR.. He’s more or less been a Cy Young candidate all season and has formed one of the best one-two pitching punches in baseball with Lance Lynn this season.

Assuming Minor doesn’t get traded this winter which isn’t out of the realm of possibility, he looks poised to anchor that rotation once again. There’s still a possibility also that Texas could agree to an extension with the 31-year old lefty that keeps him in Arlington beyond next year, something to which Minor is not opposed.