Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Mets and Phillies are both showing “strong interest” in left-handed starting pitcher Mike Minor.
Minor, 31, is currently in his second year with the Texas Rangers in which he has made four starts this year, registering a 2.60 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, 3.94 FIP, and 22 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings. In his most recent start, Minor tossed a complete game shutout in which he only surrendered three hits and two walks while striking out seven batters.
The Mets and Phillies have both previously expressed interest in Minor, even as recently as this past offseason. It is unclear how far along negotiations are between the clubs.
If the Mets were to acquire Minor, the team would almost certainly slot him in as the fifth starter in the rotation, with Jason Vargas being the casualty given his rough start to the 2019 season and the fact that he was pretty dreadful in 2018 as well.
Minor is set to make $9.5 million both this year and in 2020 before hitting free agency at the end of next season.
