FRIDAY, 12:37am: Texas isn’t landing Cashner, sources tell MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan (via Twitter). That would seem to leave the Marlins in position to finalize an agreement, and SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo tweets the Fish are indeed getting closer to striking a deal.
THURSDAY, 11:29pm: The Marlins and Rangers are the two “current leaders” to acquire righty Andrew Cashner from the Padres, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Miami is “pushing hard to finalize” a swap that would send multiple prospects to San Diego for the much-needed starter, per MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro (via Twitter), though it seems as if there’s still competition for his services.
We’ve long heard of interest from a wide variety of clubs in the pending free agent, who seems among the likeliest trade pieces in all of baseball. The Orioles were said to be making a push to strike a deal on Cashner just yesterday, but now seem to be behind in the sweepstakes. Other contenders who have been linked include the Blue Jays and Giants.
Recent reports have suggested that the Pads were nearing a deal for Cashner at various points in time, but he remains in San Diego at present. That probably worked out to the benefit of his current team, as the up-and-down righty has put together his best work of the season over his last three outings, permitting five runs and running up 23 strikeouts against just three walks over 17 2/3 frames.
Still, on the year he’s carrying only a 4.76 ERA with 7.6 K/9 against 3.4 BB/9 over 79 1/3 frames. Some home run troubles (16.0% HR/flyball rate) haven’t helped, and Cashner has also posted a career-worst 7.3% swinging striker rate with a slightly declining (but still-strong) average four-seam velocity of 94 mph.
Despite his rocky results, Cashner currently holds the fifth spot on MLBTR’s top trade candidate ranking. That’s due not only to his oft-noted talent, but also to San Diego’s aggressive selling posture, which has already resulted in deals for James Shields, Fernando Rodney, and Melvin Upton. There’s an argument to be made that Cashner is the most appealing rental starter currently available; Rich Hill has unquestionably been better, but also hasn’t pitched much of late, while Jeremy Hellickson arguably doesn’t have quite the ceiling of the other two.
Cashner is earning a relatively modest $7.15MM salary this year, so he’s just as affordable in terms of salary as Hill and Hellickson. In theory, the Pads could hold onto him and hope that he pitches well enough down the stretch to warrant a qualifying offer, but it seems that ship has sailed at this point — particularly with the starting pitching market seemingly primed for sellers to receive strong returns.
sunset117
I know cashner is opposed to being an RP which I getting being his going into FA but I thought he could help the Giants, but obviously he’s going to go at the SP rate to a stupid club like the Marlins so I guess better they don’t get involved with those shenanigans
He still looks like a solid RP (even if his first inning numbers suggest otherwise). Even if I would take him in a trade, I would never pay him the money he’ll get in FA… 5/75? Same as Ian w/ the royals ~70 over 5. Insane
alfredog
Please do not do anything stupid marlins like giving up Naylor or jarlin Garcia for a rental its not smart and short sighted
hanks1hammer
Prospect Watch see Garcia developing into a back of the rotation pitcher. I understand why you want to hold onto Naylor. He looks like a John Kruk sort of player. But you don’t want to let Garcia go? You realize you’ll have to pay SOMETHING, right?
sunset117
I wouldn’t trust Loria and company to make a smart move…
alfredog
He was smart enogh to get donnie baseball
sunset117
I’m a mattingly fan, and obviously have massive respect for him but I don’t put that hire on Loria. I put it more on mattingly having limited choices after how things went down w/ LAD. I think it was more mattingly was smart enough to realize the Marlins were a decent team, despite inept leadership. I give him props for helping make the Marlins a team I no longer laugh at… (Only the leadership… Or season ticket sales department… Or owner… I don’t laugh at the team or manager… Mattingly has my respect).
cbf82
Man if the Rangers could pull 2 of those 3 ( Cashner, Hellickson, Hill ) to pair along with Hamels, Darvish and either Griffin or Perez, they would be doing pretty damn good!! Come on JD, pull the trigger!!
alfredog
Btw can the marlins get Nick Martinez for cash i really think that marlins park would help him get back on track and he will get to return home
youknowit
Gallo, Brinson or Profar for Cashner and done. Make it happen. Throw in Norris.
MB923
LOL. No.
sunset117
Guessing that’s tongue in cheek. I would love to see the Rangers sacrifice their future for a few good months… Or wel slightly below replacement level months (if healthy).
Let’s go As!
AidanVega123
Any of those three guys for Cashner is a complete joke from the Rangers side. Even if you add Norris too.
sdmexicanf00d
Would rather have 1 higher quality prospect from TX and multiple lower level prospects from Miami
sdmexicanf00d
Than*
alfredog
Cashner is not worth it any way he is a worst version of Koehler Rangers can have him
youknowit
Koehler is a reason the Marlins and still in the race.
sunset117
Koehler is a legitimately decent pitcher. He’s no ace but I would take him in the 4/5 spot on a playoff team no problem
jacknbd
Looks like it’s the Marlins. Let’s make it a one for one Braxton Garrett for cashner
bleacherbum
Braxton can’t be traded yet, he was just drafted and can’t be traded until the season is over.
I think it will either be Kolek or Naylor plus a mid-level guy like Dillon Peters or Jordon Holloway.
sunset117
That’s seems like a lot… But with the market you’re probably right. Idk that system well enough to give comments beyond my stupid opinions
everlastingdave
That would be a “same old Marlins” move alright. I doubt Kolek or Naylor are involved.
tigermr1
Naylor and Kolek aren’t being traded lol cashner is trash and a rental
tim815
Not a Padres or Marlins guy. What do you see as applicable?
tigermr1
Any of the Marlins prospects from 5-10 on their top prospects. Anybody better than #5 prospect is still an overpay
baseball lifer
WRONG
amendoza1539
Naylor is the center piece!
bleacherbum
Shows how much you know.
Matt Galvin
Hopefully happens today. If Naylor is in it Alonso could be on the move or could maybe learn 3B or move to LF.
mike156
It just amazes me that a guy with Cashner’s actual results–on the field performance and ability to stay on the field, would generate a big price. He’s 29, his career BWAR is 3.3, and he’s in the middle of a year and a half stretch where he’s in negative territory. Maybe he will harness it all, but you are still paying for potential in a pure rental.
Evanjmoore
Does anyone think the Marlins might also give up Norwood or do you think they might go for a pitching prospect?
Lance
The Rangers should go after Shields. He’s been very good in the month of July after that four game stretch when he was just awful. He’s a solid, proven MLB pitcher.