MLB trade rumors: Yankees unlikely to land Rangers starter Mike Minor

E.Jay Zarett

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MLB trade rumors: Yankees unlikely to land Rangers starter Mike Minor image

The Yankees are unlikely to land Mike Minor.

The 31-year-old starter “is on the Yankees’ list of potential acquisitions,” but “the chances of his heading to New York do not appear especially good,” according to a report from The Athletic.

The report adds:

“Minor, 31, also has the Yankees on his 10-team no-trade list, sources say, though it’s unclear whether he included them for leverage or because he does not want to play in New York (the rest of his no-trade list is not known).”

The Rangers are “increasingly likely” to move Minor ⁠before the July 31 trade deadline, according to an earlier report from MLB Network.

“I feel like ever since I signed it’s been a topic,” Minor said last week about the rumors, via the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “It’s almost like I signed just so they could trade me.”

The left-hander made his first All-Star team earlier this month and is in the middle of a career season. He holds an 8-5 record with a 2.86 ERA in 20 starts so far in 2019.

Minor signed a three-year, $28 million deal with the team in December 2017. The Brewers, Phillies and Braves are all reportedly considering pursuing him, as well.

The Rangers entered play Monday 6 1/2 games out of the second American League wild-card spot with a 50-49 record. Manager Chris Woodward said last week he wants the team to focus on ignoring the speculation.

"That’s part of the game. That’s something that, as a player, you have to deal with every year, basically,” Woodward said (via MLB Network on SiriusXM). “As a staff member, all you can do is try to keep (the trade rumors) internal. Try to keep the noise out and say ‘Hey, when things happen, they happen. It’s out of your control. So, we might as well go out there and try to win each game and not worry about that.' Not have that hanging over us.

“But, it is there. I’m not afraid to address it. I’m not going to ignore it.”

The Yankees, meanwhile, are looking to add at least one starter this month and they’ve also been linked to Marcus Stroman, Trevor Bauer, Madison Bumgarner, Zack Wheeler and Robbie Ray.

 

E.Jay Zarett