Texas Rangers Rumors: Mike Minor trade discussed by Philadelphia Phillies

MLB Trade Rumors: The Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers have “engaged” on the subject of Mike Minor, the lefthanded pitcher who the Rangers signed to a 3 year, $28 million deal last offseason, according to Jeff Passan on Twitter. Passan notes that the Phillies have also been pursuing Andrew Miller, and suggests that Minor could be an option as either a starter or a reliever.

The Phillies are looking to be aggressive this offseason, and have made a couple of big splashes in acquiring Jean Segura from the Mariners, along with a pair of relievers, for Carlos Santana and J.P. Crawford, and then signing Andrew McCutchen to a deal. The Phillies have been linked to Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, and generally have been seen as a team looking to make win-now moves.

Minor, who successfully moved back to the rotation in 2018 after a stellar 2017 campaign as a reliever for the Kansas City Royals, has been pegged as a player the Rangers could look to shop as they try to hasten their rebuilding process. Having shown that he can successfully hold down a rotation spot, and on an affordable two year deal, Minor could be an attractive commodity for a team looking to immediately bolster its rotation.

The Phillies have some interesting young arms that haven’t quite established themselves in the majors in Vince Velasquez, Ranger Suarez, Nick Pivetta and Zach Eflin, and could be willing to move one of those guys as part of a package to get a more reliable pitcher in place behind Aaron Nola and Jake Arrieta. In addition, the acquisition of McCutchen means that the Phillies could look to move either Aaron Altherr or Nick Williams. Williams, of course, is a former Ranger second round who went to Philly in the Cole Hamels trade.