The Baltimore Orioles have signed right-handed starting pitcher Andrew Cashner according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com.
Roch also reports that the deal is two-years with $16 million guaranteed. The 31-year-old Cashner is much needed rotation help for the Orioles that have significant questions after Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman.
Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports that there is an option for a third year at $10 million that vests if Cashner pitches 340 innings in the two seasons or can become a player option with 360 innings pitched. Cashner can also earn up to $5 million more with incentives.
Former Mets Gabriel Ynoa will also be part of the rotation battle for the O’s.
Original Post – Feb. 15, 10:00 a.m.
While many mixed messages have surfaced in the last few days about whether or not the New York Mets need to add more pitching to most it’s clear that they do.
One name that has been mentioned as a possibility recently is Andrew Cashner, who the Mets sent a scout to evaluate in person last season according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com.
The right-handed Cashner is represented by CAA, the same agency that has Jacob deGrom, Noah Syndergaard, Yoenis Cespedes, Tim Tebow and recently signed Todd Frazier.
Cashner, 31, registered an 11-11 record with a 3.40 ERA, 4.61 FIP, 138 ERA+, 1.320 WHIP and had 4.6 K/9 across 28 starts (166.2 innings pitched). He was also good for a career-high 4.6 WAR.
The obvious warning signs for Cashner are the 4.6 K/9 (second lowest among qualified starters), 4.61 FIP, 1.32 WHIP, and a league worst 5.52 SIERA.
A few positives are his 15th ranked 48.6 groundball rate and the hard hit percentage against him was only 28.4 which was 11th among starters.
Should also note that CAA represents former Met and free agent starter Jason Vargas. He is another guy that could be a fit for the Mets as a starter from the lower tier with Jake Arrieta, Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb unlikely targets.
