The A's have bolstered their rotation, acquiring Texas Rangers starter Mike Minor in a trade for two prospects, the team announced on Monday.
Outfielder Marcus Smith and third baseman Dustin Harris will be the two players going to Texas in the trade, according to multiple reports. ESPN's Jeff Passan was first to report the trade.
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Smith is the A's No. 22 prospect according to MLB.com after being a third-round pick in 2019. He's a great athlete and solid fielder, but his offensive ability leaves something to be desired. Harris also was drafted by the A's in 2019, being taken in the 11th round. The 21-year-old is not among the A's top 30 prospects.
Minor is 0-5 with a 5.60 ERA in seven starts this season for Texas. The southpaw is coming off an All-Star season in 2019, one in which he went 14-10 with a 3.59 ERA. He primarily relies on a four-seam fastball, which averages about a 90.6 mph velocity.
Minor is right around league average this season in terms of his expected ERA, expected batting average, and strikeout percentage. His hard-hit percentage has dropped dramatically from last season, meaning hitters are making much better contact against the southpaw than they have in years past.
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Oakland's rotation has dealt with some injuries early in the season, and fellow lefty Sean Manaea has struggled out of the gate. Minor likely will be able to join the A's rotation immediately, as top prospect A.J. Puk continues developing.
