The Boston Red Sox have acquired RHP Andrew Cashner and cash considerations from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for prospects Elio Prado and Noelberth Romero.
Andrew Cashner, 32, has a 9-3 record this season with the Orioles, despite the team’s overall record of 28-63. He also has a 3.83 ERA, 4.25 FIP, and 1.194 WHIP in 17 starts (96.1 innings) with the O’s. His 4.25 FIP is partially reflective of his low strikeout rate, averaging 6.17 SO/9.
Cashner is still owed $5 million through the end of the season and has a $10 million club option for 2020.
With the Red Sox’s pick up of Cashner, this possibly could take them out of the market for Mets’ RHP Zack Wheeler, as noted by Matt Ehalt of Yahoo Sports.
The Red Sox have been searching for a starting pitcher ever since Nathan Eovaldi fell to injury early this season. The reigning World Series champions have been working with an opener as the fifth man in their rotation to join starters, Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Sale, Rick Porcello, and David Price. The Red Sox rank seventh in the American League in starting pitching ERA (4.65) and rank 18th among MLB as a whole.
The Orioles’ side of the deal includes a pair of 17-year-olds in outfielder Elio Prado, and infielder Noelberth Romero. The two players, who signed with the Red Sox as free agents in 2018, have been in the Sox’s DSL rookie affiliate league for 2019.
Prado was slashing .303/.400/.419 in 122 at-bats this season. He has three home runs and 26 RBIs, so far in 2019. Romero has hit .264/.336/.364 in 110 at-bats with two homers and 11 RBI for the season.
