Texas Rangers: Predicting who gets dealt at the MLB Trade Deadline

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SEATTLE, WA – AUGUST 23: Mike Minor #23 of the Texas Rangers delivers a pitch in a game against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on August 23, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won 4-1. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

Pending Free Agent: Mike Minor

In hindsight, the Texas Rangers may wish they had traded Mike Minor last year when his value was at an all-time high. Now, the left-hander has gone from legitimate frontline starter to struggling veteran and with the current pandemic affecting much of how team’s conduct business, his value to the Rangers has never been lower.

Minor’s struggles have looked more attributable to the weird offseason and start to the truncated year than any injury. Still, he currently has a 6.75 ERA through his first six starts and his velocity has ticked down. With those numbers, the question has to be asked whether or not there will even be suitors for the 32-year old pending free agent.

If teams are interested, it’s not going to be the top end contenders. Any team with a real shot at making a run is looking to add frontline starters, not a struggling veteran. If Texas holds onto the lefty they could extend him a qualifying offer at year’s end with hopes of either bringing him back or netting a draft pick if he signs elsewhere.

Verdict: Trade

Mike Minor carries little trade value now which is a frustrating development considering what you could’ve gotten in return for him just over a year ago. However, he still has two great seasons under his belt and has bullpen experience from his pre-Rangers’ career. While no top dogs will be chasing his services, I would think some fringe playoff teams who would like to sneak into the mix but have little shot at making a run could bring Minor in with hopes he can right the ship and be a mid-rotation starter for the remainder fo the season.

He’s not going to net you anything significant in return but the likelihood that Texas could extend the $18 million qualifying offer to him at year’s end and it be a positive move is slim to none. No club is going to exceed that mark at this point netting the Rangers a comp draft pick and Texas would be stuck overpaying for Minor. At this point, it makes sense to try and recoup something for him now and see what happens down the road.

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