DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - The trade deadline is just over a week away and the Rangers have lost eight games in a row and are 6 1/2 games behind the Oakland A's for the American League's second wild card spot.
The club's biggest trade piece is the ace of their pitching staff, Mike Minor. It's unknown if Texas will move the left-hander but his name has been tied to several reports over the last week.
The four teams who have been linked to Minor are the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers, and Atlanta Braves. But what could Texas get in return for Minor? For this exercise, we'll also include the Minnesota Twins and the Houston Astros as they are also in need of starting pitching.
Jared Sandler and Mike Bacsik discussed several names the Rangers could get back in a deal for Minor in the video above, and we listed some of them here:
Yankees:
Clint Frazier - OF
Frazier is a very talented player but is blocked in the Yankees outfield because of the talent they have at the position. He got an opportunity to play with the big league club earlier in the season after the team had several players go down with injuries. In 53 games, Frazier hit .283 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI.
The 24-year-old is a right-handed hitter and would immediately slot into the Rangers top of the order.
Deivi Garica - P
Here's part of what
MLB.com wrote about Garcia: 'Though he doesn't have the smoothest delivery, Garcia repeats it well and exhibits advanced control and command for such a young pitcher. Because he's small and works with some effort, there are some concerns about his long-term durability as a starter, but his athleticism and efficiency help his cause. His fastball/curveball combination should play well in the late innings if he winds up as a reliever.'
Phillies:
Alec Bohm - 3B
Here's part of what
MLB.com wrote about Bohm: 'Bohm has the potential to hit for average as well as power at the highest level. He has strength and excellent bat speed to go along with excellent strike zone control. As a result, he can draw walks and doesn't strike out much, especially for someone who can generate plus raw power.'
Twins:
Royce Lewis - SS
Here's part of what
MLB.com wrote about Lewis: 'A premium athlete, Lewis has impressive tools across the board combined with instincts and makeup that allow them all to play up consistently. He consistently makes hard contact with an advanced approach at the plate, drawing walks while not striking out a ton. He can drive the ball to all fields and his over-the-fence power started showing up, with more to come.'
Astros:
Jared Sandler says the Astros are unlikely to move Forest Whitley and Kyle Tucker but have several other prospects that would interest Texas.
Brewers:
Brice Turang - SS
Here's part of what
MLB.com wrote about Turang: 'The son of former big-league outfielder Brian Turang, Brice is more advanced and polished than the typical high school pick and could move through the Minors relatively faster than his peers. He has the upside of an everyday shortstop who hits for average, swipes some bags and plays solid if unspectacular defense at a premium position.'
Braves:
Kyle Wright - P
Here's part of what
MLB.com wrote about Wright: 'The only thing that hasn't completely lived up to advanced billing has been his control and command. It might be average, or a tick below, at present, but because his delivery works so well, there is every confidence he will find greater strike-throwing consistency, allowing him to reach his potential as a frontline starter.'
Ian Anderson - P
Here's part of what
MLB.com wrote about Anderson: 'Anderson's walk rate improved in 2018, but he still needs to refine his overall command. Because of his repeatable delivery and understanding of how to pitch, the Braves are confident he'll have average control, which should allow him to reach his potential as a frontline type starter.'
Bryse Wilson - P
Here's part of what
MLB.com wrote about Wilson: 'The only thing that hasn't completely lived up to advanced billing has been his control and command. It might be average, or a tick below, at present, but because his delivery works so well, there is every confidence he will find greater strike-throwing consistency, allowing him to reach his potential as a frontline starter.'
