Texas Rangers trade Mike Minor to Oakland A’s for two prospects. More moves expected.
The teardown of the 2020 Texas Rangers roster has started.
The Rangers traded left-hander Mike Minor to the Oakland A’s ahead of the MLB trade deadline Monday for two minor-leaguers, reportedly outfielder Marcus Smith and third baseman Dustin Harris.
The Rangers also sent half of Minor’s remaining salary to the A’s, and in turn received $133,000 in international slot money.
Minor hasn’t won this season, going 0-5 with a 5.60 ERA as he struggled with a dead arm and a decline in velocity, but he tossed six scoreless innings Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
He needed center fielder Leody Taveras to rob Justin Turner of a three-run homer in the third inning to get through unscathed.
Minor is a free agent after the season. The Rangers might have been hesitant to make him a qualifying offer, which would likely approach $18 million for one year, and thus wouldn’t receive draft-pick compensation if he signed somewhere else.
In making the trade for two prospects, neither of whom is in the A’s 60-man player pool for this season, the Rangers ensured they wouldn’t lose Minor for nothing.
The trade deadline arrives at 3 p.m., and the expectation is that Lance Lynn will be dealt. The Rangers could also trade away a right-handed reliever, with Rafael Montero the leading candidate, and possibly a veteran hitter.
Todd Frazier and Shin-Soo Choo fit that mold, but Choo can veto any trade.
This story was originally published August 31, 2020 at 12:07 PM.
