Fansided

5 realistic trades the Yankees can make for a starting pitcher

By Rucker Haringey

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 1: Brian Cashman general manager of the New York Yankees looks on prior to a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on October 1, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 1: Brian Cashman general manager of the New York Yankees looks on prior to a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on October 1, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 25: Mike Minor #23 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 25, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – MAY 25: Mike Minor #23 of the Texas Rangers pitches in the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on May 25, 2019 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

4. Mike Minor

The Rangers currently find themselves three games over .500, but they’ve already fallen 10 games behind the Astros in the AL West. That could easily turn Texas into sellers ahead of the trade deadline.

If that happens, their phone lines are going to light up about Mike Minor. He’s been dominant on the hill this season. He’s already provided the team 4.1 WAR this season on the back of his 2.55 ERA. Minor, like Bumgarner, is also ticketed to be a free agent at season’s end. That makes him a guy who is very likely to move.

The question the Yankees have to answer is whether or not they really believe this is the real Minor. He’s been a solid pitcher throughout his career, but this season is a real outlier. His career ERA of 3.86 is probably a much more realistic indicator of who he’ll be moving forward.

The Rangers, of course, will want the Yankees to pay for Minor like he’s truly an ace. This could turn out to be one of the most interesting trade story lines of the season.

Look for Cashman to try to get away with building a package around Greg Bird and a high-end prospect. Ronald Guzman doesn’t look like the answer for Texas at the position.

The Rangers also have a big hole at second base due to Rougned Odor’s struggles. That makes Thairo Estrada the player they’ll want to receive in any deal. Cashman might be willing to reluctantly make that deal if he can get a an extra prospect in the deal. A young pitcher like Owen White could be enough to make this a fair deal for New York.

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