It has been well noted that the New York Yankees have been in a deep search for starting pitching. Mike Minor ranks high upon their list, however, it appears as if this trade would be highly unlikely.
This news is simply one more notch in the category of the player that will not be coming to the New York Yankees at the deadline. While this does not completely rule it out, Ken Rosenthal’s report makes it rather clear that he would not accept such a move.
He has an extra year of control on his contract and has more of a vested interest in his destination than most players dealt before July 31 would.
To briefly review, the Yankees highly covet Mets pitching- Noah Syndergaard and Zack Wheeler to be precise- however a deal of this magnitude between the two NY clubs is almost impossible.
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It is not for a lack of trying on the part of Yankees GM Brian Cashman, however, the Mets ownership would not approve of such a deal- regardless of the quality of return- because they cannot stomach watching either of the two former high-level prospects celebrate a World Series in the Bronx.
Trevor Bauer was very likely- as the pieces matched up very well- yet the Indians most recent surge of success indicates that they are not selling anything at the moment. Rather they would look to add and Bauer, who would be a signature piece in their pursuit of a championship.
Robbie Ray is another name that the Yankees would dream of getting their hands on, however, Arizona is merely a few games out of playoff contention and without Ray, they would be discarding a chance at October baseball. The Yankees could still attempt to blow them away if the DBacks slip out of contention, however, Cashman and company cannot count on that.
Due to these straining circumstances, New York decided to set their sights directly on Madison Bumgarner, the left-hander with the sparkling postseason resume. Once again the absurdity that is National League in 2019 struck and pulled the Giants into the thick of the hectic wild-card race.
The Giants are all but determined to hold on to Bumgarner, as he is vital for their 2019 success. Also, his retention will not be very costly because there was never going to be a sizeable return for him and he could easily remain a Giant for the long-term.
Mike Minor was an easy Pivot for Cashman until the recent report provided another crippling blow to their deadline options. A deal is still possible here, as this could easily just be a move for leverage, yet if he is determined to stay away from the Yankees, there is not a thing anyone can do to change it.
Another strong possibility of a landing spot for Minor is the Milwaukee Brewers, who are entrenched in battles for the NL Central division and, if unsuccessful, the NL Wild Card. The Brewers recently lost their most successful starter, Brandon Woodruff, to an oblique injury that will keep him sidelined for 6 weeks. Another starter is needed to pick up the slack without him and to bolster the postseason rotation, given that they make it.
It is currently unknown who the remaining 9 clubs that Minor has on his list, the Brewers could easily be on the list and this argument would be totally caput. It is also a strong possibility that the Rangers hold onto the crafty lefty and deal him in the offseason, where all parties can easily work this dilemma out.
Minor has proven to be an excellent arm for Texas this season, his second in the Lone Star State and second in the rotation following his resurgence in the Kansas City Royals bullpen. His current WAR is a staggering 6.0, his ERA+ is an AL-leading 177, and for fans of the more traditional stats, he has a 2.86 ERA and 1.16 WHIP.
Minor could be the acquisition that makes or breaks the postseason fate of any team or he could simply remain in Texas. His past- falling flat with performance and injury for the Los Angels Dodgers- may give him caution and thus he will likely choose his destination wisely.