Royals Rumors: Mike Minor first Royal to sign elsewhere this offseason
Royals rumors are now getting to that point where they no longer are rumors and become the truth. The first former member of the Kansas City Royals to sign with another team is Mike Minor.
It’s not that any Kansas City Royals fans expected Mike Minor to return to the team next season, but he’s just the first of many that are going to sign with other teams. Minor has inked a deal with the Texas Rangers, which was reported on Monday night.
While the terms haven’t been released yet (as of late Monday night), the Rangers needed help in their bullpen and Minor was one of the best options on the market. Though the interesting part about this deal is that the Rangers might end up using Minor as a starter.
Minor had experience as a starter before he was with the Royals. In fact, he didn’t become a reliever until he pitched for Kansas City in 2017. It was a role in which he performed quite well in, posting a 2.55 ERA in 77.2 innings thrown.
Free-agent left-hander Mike Minor in agreement with #Rangers, sources tell The Athletic. Terms not known. Performance as reliever last season, background as starter gives Texas options.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 5, 2017
Source: #Rangers plan for Mike Minor to be a starter, as @Ken_Rosenthal and @Evan_P_Grant indicated, if Minor passes physical to complete multiyear agreement. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 5, 2017
Minor also served as the Royals’ closer near the end of the year, notching six saves during that time. He was easily the team’s best reliever and there wasn’t much hope that the Kansas City Royals would be able to retain him after this year.
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The Rangers are getting a good pitcher in Mike Minor. He can pitch out of the rotation or out of the bullpen, but after how good he was last year, it’s a little surprising to see the Rangers want to utilize him as a starter.
So, what’s next for the Royals’ bullpen? Well, there’s been buzz that the Royals could be leaning towards a rebuild and that could mean a whole new bullpen to go along with a whole new lineup and rotation.
Now with Minor out of town, the closer position could be an interesting one. If Kelvin Herrera doesn’t get traded, he could be an option in that role, but he did not do well as the team’s closer last year. Joakim Soria also hasn’t been all that great and Scott Alexander could be a really valuable trade piece if things come to that.
This is only the beginning for the Royals rumors and fans should be prepared for an offseason filled with former players departing for greener pastures. At least we have years of practice in that department, right?