SUNDAY: The list of teams interested in Cashner is close to 10, writes Heyman. That includes the previously reported Marlins, who have discussed many of their top prospects – including first baseman Josh Naylor – with the Padres, Heyman hears. The surging Astros are also in the Cashner sweepstakes.
SATURDAY, 11:51am: The Marlins are also still discussing Cashner with the Padres, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports tweets.
10:17am: The Giants have also checked in on Cashner, according to FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman (Twitter link), though San Francisco is more focused on adding bullpen help before the deadline. The Dodgers don’t appear to be in the mix for Cashner as they “seem to be aiming even higher” for a rotation upgrade, which Heyman speculates could be Chris Sale or one of the Rays’ starting pitchers. In another Heyman tweet, he writes that the Orioles and Blue Jays are thought to be the leaders for Upton, though the two clubs are also exploring bigger deals that could involve Upton and other Padres changing teams.
8:48am: The Orioles are chasing two high-profile names from the Padres, as they are looking at Melvin Upton and Andrew Cashner in separate trade talks, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports (Twitter link). Reports surfaced yesterday that the O’s and Padres were discussing a swap that would’ve sent Ubaldo Jimenez and a prospect to San Diego for Upton. That deal would be something of a fit of large contracts, whereas for Cashner, Rosenthal notes that San Diego is asking for two prospects.
Interestingly, Baltimore isn’t the only AL East team linked to these two Padres stars, as the Blue Jays have also discussed Upton and Cashner with San Diego, Rosenthal reports (Twitter links). The Padres are trying to get the division rivals into a bidding war over Upton, though it isn’t certain if Toronto would have interest in the outfielder if Cashner wasn’t part of the deal. Even the Cashner talks with Toronto may not have much momentum, as Rosenthal notes that the Jays and Padres have differing opinions on Cashner’s value.
As of yesterday, the Padres were telling other teams that they were close to finalizing an Upton trade, which at the time was perceived as a possible negotiating tactic on the Friars’ part. A rival official for a team not interested in Upton observed to Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune that the Padres were “trying to get someone else to bite before they are forced to send him to the one club ready to move on him.”
Given Rosenthal’s subsequent tweets, it would seem that Toronto could be the “someone else” in that description while the O’s could be the more eager suitor for Upton’s services. Then again, Upton makes sense as an outfield upgrade on a few different contenders. For instance, ESPN’s Buster Olney tweets that the Indians have also talked to the Padres about Upton over the last few weeks, though nothing is close on that front.
Of the three teams mentioned, the Orioles would seem to have the clearest need for Upton given their left field void (as both Joey Rickard and Hyun Soo Kim are on the DL), plus Upton could also provide cover in center behind Adam Jones. Jimenez’s contract also helps offset the large amount of money still owed on Upton’s contract, as the outfielder is set to earn $16.45MM in 2017 and roughly $5.31MM remaining this season; Cleveland and Toronto don’t have any Jimenez-esque large salaries that could be dealt to create payroll space.
The uncertainty surrounding Michael Brantley’s status could certainly put Cleveland in the market for outfield help, though the Tribe have been getting some very solid contributions from their current outfield mix of Tyler Naquin, Jose Ramirez, Rajai Davis and Lonnie Chisenhall. The Blue Jays are pretty set in the outfield with Michael Saunders, Kevin Pillar and Jose Bautista (who could return from the DL as early as Monday), so Upton doesn’t really have a regular spot. Toronto could use Edwin Encarnacion more regularly at first to get Upton into left field and Saunders at DH, depending on matchups.
Cashner, meanwhile, has been linked to several teams in need of rotation help. The O’s don’t have a terribly deep minor league system, and while Cashner wouldn’t necessarily command top-tier prospects in return, it’s still possible Baltimore could be outbid by another suitor (such as the Rangers) who simply have more quality minor leaguers to offer. Cashner fits as a big upgrade for the Orioles’ struggling pitching staff, and he also fits in Toronto given that Aaron Sanchez may yet be moved to the bullpen to control his innings.
gorav114
What’s the odds that SD is going to offer a QO to Cashner? I think their decision there impacts what type of prospect they would need to get back. I think the best SD can get would be Tanner Scott. More likely they would have to take Christian Walker/Daniel Alvarez.
markase
100%. Seriously, even if he accepts, he’s likely movable pitching decently on that contract. Plus, have you seen the sorry state of FA starters? I think the likelihood of him accepting is close to zero. I mean, if he got 4/48 would anyone really be surprised?
mehs
There might not even be the option for a QO this off season. The collective bargaining agreement is up and there have been rumors of them getting rid of the QO.
MatthewBaltimore23
Yeah- take Dariel Alvarez! Not Scott or Walker
tdfriars
I’d much rather send Cashner and Kemp to the O’s for Ubaldo. Ubaldo’s contract would offset some of Kemp’s money and Cashner would give the O’s the rotation help they need. Kemp can play left until the O’s get healthy and then can take some DH at bats and serve as a backup plan if the O’s can’t resign Trumbo. Then the Pads can offer Upton to the Giants/Indians/Jays.
Niekro
They would have to include a lot of money their is much more dead money on Kemp’s deal than Ubaldo’s
tdfriars
I agree that they’d probably have to throw in some money. But I don’t think it would be a huge number. The O’s would be getting the only players with value in the deal and in order to do that they’d have to take on a good chunk of Kemp’s future salary. Instead of paying prospects for Cashner they would be taking on Kemp’s bad contract.
nochesucio
I think Pads have to try and wait 1 more year to move Kemp. There’s a chance (albeit minimal) he bounces back to being at least somewhat respectable. Right now would be the ultimate sell low.
MatthewBaltimore23
We don’t need Kemp or Upton or either of their contracts
pox911
As an Os fan, I love this deal. I have always been a fan of Kemp and I don’t really understand the distaste so many have for him. His power would be huge in OPACY, just like Trumbo. Not as much of a fan of Cashner, but eh I guess. I wish they would just bite the bullet and trade for Sale, but there’s no chance that will happen.
iamhector24
Kemp is WASHED.
MatthewBaltimore23
But we don’t need him to wait for Rickard and Kim to be healthy-
LF Nolan Reimold
RF Mark Trumbo
DH Pedro Alvarez
And to have Kemp as a backup plan if we can’t resign Trumbo wouldn’t make sense because his contract would probably be the reason we couldn’t resign him.
gomerhodge71
You’d have to pay ME to take Ubaldo.
easternshoreorioles
The O’s need to get this done ASAP. Ubaldo for Upton is a no brainer. Jimenez provides zero value to the Orioles. Upton would give the O’s more pop in LF and a legit stolen base threat. Throw in a low level pitching prospect and get Cashner as well. Upton and Cashner would be a great get for Duquette.
BoldyMinnesota
Upton Jr, cashner and Myers for Pentecost, Alford, Travis, and Harris With no money involved?
wag2
SD wouldn’t get rid of Myers…he’s way too important to their franchise and their future right now.
Sam.rhodes16
Pretty easy no for the Friars. Melvin is actually producing, nearly on pace for a 30/30 season. Cashner will probably reject a QO in this weak pitching market. Myers is the face of the franchise and their cornerstone piece.
Pentecost might never catch again, and the Friars already have Norris, Bethancourt, and Hedges to catch. Alford is more a high floor guy than a high ceiling guy, but he’s a nice spec regardless. Travis and Harris are decent players, but I don’t see the Pads giving up Myers for that. Just not worth it for them
BoldyMinnesota
Oh ya i forgot to add in that Toronto would have to add in 1 of Sean Reid-foley or Connor Greene, there 1-2 in prospects and both top 100’s. Myers is just so good and would slot in nicely when encarnacion leaves this winter.
DeadliestCatch
Wil myers alone would fetch 2 top 10 guys and a couple more prospects. Makes no sense for the padres to deal cashner upton myers to 1 team unless they were getting back aaron sanchez or drew hutchinson in the deal along with a good number of prospects.
Separate deals for upton cashner and myers nets more if theyre traded to individual teams rather than 1.
BoldyMinnesota
Ya that’s true, it’s probably not realistic. But your counter of Sanchez or Hutchison made me laugh. If hutchisons a deal breaker, I’m sure Atkins would throw him in a deal in a heart beat. Sanchez to Hutchison is a huge drop off
DeadliestCatch
Yeah, dont even see the padres wanting drew hutchinson. Looked it up and hes a FA come 2019 which doesnt coincide with their plans as a team. They want guys up by 2019 not leaving.
baseballsavvy
Highly doubt Myers is going anywhere. As far as I’m concerned the Orioles can have Upton. The Jays don’t need another guy who is going to strikeout 150+ times and has a low obp. Why give up on a young second baseman who can hit? And who I believe will be one of the top hitting 2nd baseman in mlb eventually. While I’m intrigued by Cashners “stuff” I would look elsewhere if I’m going to deal top prospects from an already weak prospect pool.
frg214
Upton and cashner to the Rangers for Holland, payano, delino deshields, chi chi gonzalez.
Hollands contract would be used for upton. Plus they would be getting him for another 1yr which still don’t know if Desmond will be back but if so you would be able to go 2 years with mazara as well, once upton is up after ’17 maybe Brinson would be ready and that’s if he doesn’t get traded in another deal. SD gets to solid SP prospects in chichi and payano and deshields is kinda just a throw in but I believe still holds decent value. Maybe if he got shipped out it would really open a spot for Gallo on the big league roster since they had called up delino.
DeadliestCatch
Upton jr and cashner for victor payano, connor sadzeck, delino deshields, and michael de leon or travis demeritte
You can keep holland. Hes got a 1.5 mill buyout which texas will use most likely and chi chi isnt worth much.
Rangers get what they need without giving up players in their top 15 allowimg them to use those players to find additional help for the rotation.
MB923
Zero chance the Rangers do that.
DeadliestCatch
Then there’s 0 chance Texas nets both cashner and upton jr.
Padres could trade each elsewhere and net more prospects.
*Upton could net 3 or more depending if padres eat cash and which prospects are involved.
Hecould net 2 or more depending if they take on a relatively equal contract and exchange no money.
*Cashner could net 2 prospects, and maybe a 3rd high risk high reward pitcher with control issues.
So thats somewhere between 4-6 prospects if they trade them elsewhere as opposed to just the 4 Texas would be giving up for both.
Id rather preller trade them in separate deals.
You also seem to forget the padres can QO cashner, who surely going to decline it and get 4 year 50 or less somewhere, and nets a 1st ala the Kennedy situation. The padres dont have to trade cashner given the weak pitching market of 2017.
Thus, if Texas wants both theyll have to out do the individual trades and convince preller to forgo the extra 1st which comes with somewhere around 3 million extra draft money, which, can be split to draft higher upside talent in later rounds like Preller did with saving w million on pott in the 1st and drafting lawson and thompson and signing with the extra money.
Polish Hammer
Cleveland doesn’t need him bad enough to overpay in prospects and salary. Look elsewhere please.
SixFlagsMagicPadres
I could see Upton going to the Orioles. As for Cashner, it’s still up I the air. I wonder how long this bidding war is going to last until someone finally gets moved.
padreredsoxfan
What about cashner and Norris to the ranger for profar? I think that would be even. Norris hasn’t done much with his bat and isn’t the greatest defensive catcher and cashner also hasn’t proven and Padres get a talented infielder of the future. It might be giving up much but I’d do it
jroberto
What do you think the Marlins give up for Cashner?
Friarfaithful117
Bidding war over Cashner is a big win for the Padres. I am not high on Naylor but value in prospect capital is always a plus.
bleacherbum
Naylor looked really good in the futures games at Petco a couple weeks ago, I wouldn’t mind him be the headliner in the deal. I mean the Padres would be getting a teams number 2 overall prospect for a 2 month rental of a guy who has done nothing but disappoint the fans out here in SD. That would be a huge win, hopefully Houston and Texas get word of what’s being offered by Miami and step up what they are offering because their depth is far greater in the terms of prospect value than Miami’s is.