The Mets and Phillies are both showing interest in trading for Rangers lefty Mike Minor, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Rosenthal points out that while the Mets are on his 10-team no-trade list, they could use him as either a starter or a reliever. The Phillies are not on his no-trade list, meaning the Rangers can trade him to Philadelphia without his approval.
Minor, who turns 31 on Dec 26, had a very successful 2017 season as a reliever, recording a 2.55 ERA and 2.62 FIP in 65 games. He was extremely effective against lefties, holding them to a .163/.235/.196 slash line. He returned to the rotation in 2018, going 12-8 with a 4.18 ERA and 4.43 FIP across 157.0 innings, registering a 3.8 bWAR.
While the Mets are on his no-trade list, being part of a team geared up to win could convince him to allow a trade to New York.
TR Sullivan of MLB.com reported earlier in December that the Mets and Rangers had met at the Winter Meetings. The Rangers are interested in Mets pitching prospects like Anthony Kay and David Peterson, but in order to pry them loose from Brodie Van Wagenen, they would probably need to send young reliever Jose Leclerc to New York.
Leclerc, 25, was lights-out for the Rangers in 2018, recording a 1.56 ERA and 1.89 FIP in 59 appearances. In 57.2 innings, the righty struck out 85 and walked 25.
