PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies have said throughout the offseason that they want to make moves that move the needle.
The Phillies believe that Rangers left-hander Mike Minor is one of those guys.
Sources confirmed a Philly.com report that the Phillies and Rangers have been talking about a trade that involves Minor. The Rangers could be seeking young pitching in return. Minor went 12-8 with a 4.18 ERA in 28 starts last season. He struck out 132 and walked 38 in 157 innings. He posted a 4.43 FIP, but a 2.2 WAR, according to FanGraphs.
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Minor is signed through 2020, making $9.833 million each of the next two seasons.
Minor could slide somewhere into the Phillies' rotation, which includes Aaron Nola (5.6 WAR in 2018), Jacob Arrieta (2.0), Nick Pivetta (2.8) Vince Velasquez (2.6) and Zach Eflin (2.2). The Phillies want to provide more balance to the rotation. They have not had a regular left-handed starter since 2016.
The Phillies pursued free-agent left-handers Patrick Corbin and J.A. Happ, but struck out on both. Corbin signed a six-year, $140 million deal with the Nationals. It is unclear if the Phillies offered more than four years. Happ signed a two-year contract with the Yankees, which included a vesting option for a third season. The Phillies never offered more than two guaranteed seasons.
Minor pitched with success in the Royals' bullpen in 2017, going 6-6 with a 2.55 ERA in 65 appearances. In that sense, Minor could give the Phillies some flexibility in his ability to both start and relieve.
The Phillies also continue to pursue free-agent left-handed relievers Andrew Miller and Zach Britton, both of whom would give Phillies manager Gabe Kapler a major weapon in the bullpen.