The Chicago Cubs continue their search for another pitcher as we approach the July 31st trade deadline. The Miami Marlins have already traded David Phelps, who the Cubs reportedly had interest in, but now another reliever has been linked to the North Side. According to the Chicago Tribune’s Mark Gonzales, the Cubs are interested in Kansas City Royals lefty Mike Minor.
Here’s what Gonzales wrote after the Cubs swept the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.
The Cubs, according to a source, also are looking at Royals left-handed reliever Mike Minor. But Montgomery could return to the bullpen once Hendricks is activated from the 10-day disabled list, which may be as soon as Monday.
As Gonzales referenced, the Cubs have to make one more roster move when Kyle Hendricks returns from the disabled. With John Lackey back, Eddie Butler was optioned back to Triple-A and with Mike Montgomery seemingly headed to the bullpen, Justin Grimm could very well be on his way to Iowa too.
So, it’s difficult seeing where Minor would fit into the Cubs plans, unless the team does something drastic like DFA’ing John Lackey.
Anyway, Minor is having one hell of a season with the Royals and really you can’t ever have too much pitching depth. In 37 appearances out of the Royals pen, Minor has a 49/12 strikeout to walk ratio, with a 2.36 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. He’s been especially dominant against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .351 OPS in 57 at-bats.
Minor’s ERA was below two heading into the All-Star break, but that’s gone up a tick after allowing four runs in his last two outings. Despite that, he also brings another aspect that could be intriguing to the Cubs.
The left-handed pitcher missed two full seasons after shoulder surgery, but he began his MLB career as a starter for the Atlanta Braves. Minor made 110 starts over a course of five seasons. He only made eight starts in his rookie season in 2010. Before this year, Minor had his best season in 2013, ending the year with a 3.21 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. He made 32 starts and pitched a career high 204.2 innings.
Before 2016, Minor signed a two-year deal with the Royals, with a mutual option for the 2018 season. So, maybe the Cubs are thinking ahead once again to next year’s rotation and see Minor as an option to fill out the starting five.
The 2018 mutual option is worth $10 million. Minor and whatever team he is on both have to agree to pick up the option. There is a $1.25 million buyout included in that.
In his career, Minor has a 4.10 ERA as a starting pitcher.
John Lackey and Jake Arrieta will be free agents after this season.
The Royals are in a weird place right now because they’re below .500 at 46-47, however they’re only two games back of the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central. So, would they be willing to trade one of their best relievers now?
Time will tell, as things will surely amp up in the next 10 days.
