MLB Trade Rumors: Nomar Mazara, Mike Minor drawing interest

MLB Trade Rumors: Nomar Mazara, along with Mike Minor, is drawing interest from teams as the Texas Rangers look at selling in advance of the July 31 trade deadline, according to Ken Rosenthal. This is the first time I have seen Mazara, who is having a disappointing 2019 campaign, mentioned as drawing trade interest, although it makes sense that, given the Rangers’ glut of lefty hitting corner outfielders, teams would check in on him as a possible buy-low guy. It seems unlikely to me, however, that Texas would deal Mazara at this point for the time of return he would be able to garner.

Rosenthal also mentions Chris Martin and Jose Leclerc as drawing inquiries, though Martin, who is a free agent after the season and who is pitching extremely well the last month, would seem more likely to be dealt. Leclerc is locked up on a long-term deal and unless a team overwhelms the Rangers, I don’t think Leclerc is going anywhere. Martin, I would assume, goes to the highest bidder come July 31 (if not before).

Rosenthal mentions that, with various pitchers being taken off the market, Robbie Ray and Mike Minor could end up getting dealt because of offers the D-Backs and Rangers, respectively, can’t refuse. Craig Edwards at Fangraphs suggests that Harrison Bader or Tyler O’Neill, plus major league ready pitching, could be a possible match. Bader is an elite defensive center fielder whose bat has fallen off precipitously this season, while O’Neill is a righty hitting corner guy, making him seem, to me, like less of a fit.