That Balls Outta Here
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Phillies: Five starting pitchers to add at the trade deadline

By George Stockburger

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 17: Alex Cobb #17 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards August 17, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 17: Alex Cobb #17 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches during a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards August 17, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 11: Mike Minor #23 of the Texas Rangers throws against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Globe Life Field on August 11, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 11: Mike Minor #23 of the Texas Rangers throws against the Seattle Mariners in the first inning at Globe Life Field on August 11, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The Phillies would be hoping for a rebound from Mike Minor

The Phillies have long been connected to Mike Minor with trade interest dating back to last year when they scouted the Texas Rangers lefty.

The 32-year-old revitalized his career as a Royal after missing two seasons with arm injuries. His last two years with the Rangers pushed him into the conversation as one of baseball’s best-kept secrets. Fourteen wins, a 3.59 ERA, and 200 strikeouts last year earned him an All-Star nod and an eighth-place finish for the Cy Young.

So far the 2020 season hasn’t been especially kind to Minor, who has been given a loss in all six of his starts with a 6.75 ERA and seven home runs allowed. He has had two or three solid outings, but in three games the Rangers didn’t give him more than two runs of support and haven’t scored more than four runs in any game he’s started this year.

Texas is nine games back in the American League West at 10-17 on Monday afternoon, and even with the expanded playoffs it would take a lot for them to pass the Astros and A’s in the division. I would expect them to be a seller, making Minor a potential trade target for any team looking for a cheap option for the rotation or even the bullpen if warranted.

Philadelphia also doesn’t have a lefty in their rotation, so adding Minor would certainly give them a different look there. With his struggles, it wouldn’t cost them a lot compared to last year when he was an All-Star.

Minor is also in the last year of his contract, so financially the Phillies would be fine long-term.

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