Rumors: Texas Rangers Talking Mike Minor Trade with Blue Jays

The Texas Rangers are looking to move LHP Mike Minor before the MLB Trade Deadline and are reportedly discussing a trade with the Blue Jays.

To say that the 2020 season has been a disappointment for Mike Minor would be an understatement. Still, the Texas Rangers left-hander is garnering some interest on the trade market and Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports that the club is “actively engaged” in trade talks with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Toronto was linked with Lance Lynn earlier this weekend as they look to make a playoff push in the AL East. However, after adding Taijuan Walker in a deal with the Mariners, the Blue Jays could be looking for a more moderate addition to their pitching staff than Lynn who is likely the most expensive pitching acquisition at the deadline behind Mike Clevinger.

Minor on the other hand would be a fairly cheap addition as the veteran is coming to the end of his current contract and has struggled this season. In seven starts this season Minor has a 5.60 ERA and has voiced his struggles with commanding at-bats like he would prefer to.

Considering the shortened season as well and Minor will be a low-risk addition for a potential buyer. That could be what makes so much sense to the Blue Jays who are looking to break into the postseason but are unlikely to be favorites to make a substantial run. Minor could potentially add some rotation help and has bullpen experience if Toronto decides they’d like to use him there.

For a buyer like the Blue Jays, there is always the chance that Minor rights the ship. Just last year he was a legitimate top-half of the rotation starter with a 3.59 ERA and 200 strikeouts in 32 starts for Texas.

For the Rangers in this potential deal, don’t expect anything world changing heading to Arlington. Likely Texas would get either a low-level prospect with maybe an interesting tool or an aging prospect who has lost value with age and is nearing a look at the big leagues. Looking at the Toronto system, catcher Riley Adams jumps out as a possibility as the catcher nears the bigs at age 24. Another option could be 26-year old Jackson Rees who has yet to surpass High-A ball and profiles as a middle reliever.