Baltimore Orioles Rumors: Andrew Cashner Reunion Still In The Mix

The Baltimore Orioles might bring back veteran RHP Andrew Cashner this offseason.

If you enjoyed watching Andrew Cashner pitch in a Baltimore Orioles uniform last season, there may be some good news on the horizon. A reunion with the 33-year-old righty could be in the works as the offseason begins to come to a close. MASN’s Roch Kubatko recently mentioned the idea of this possibility.

We know that the Orioles are still looking to add starting pitching help and another infielder, with general manager Mike Elias stating that one more major league free agent contract could be signed before the start of the 2020 season. Could that major league deal be for Cashner?

The Orioles have added a group of pitchers to mix, including multiple Rule 5 picks and minor league signings (we’re taking a deeper dive into each of them tomorrow) in hopes of finding a small diamond in the rough, or at least enough arms to help get them through another grueling season in Birdland.

One of the many things the starting rotation is currently lacking is a veteran option who the Orioles can rely on to take the ball every five days and keep things competitive, more often than not.

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We have taken plenty of looks at possible free agent targets who fit this profile and can be had for a low price, with Andrew Cashner being one of those options. A $1-3 million/one-year deal loaded with incentives doesn’t add a large amount to the payroll that Elias wants to avoid and it brings in a veteran who is comfortable pitching at Camden Yards.

Cashner was on pace to finish 2019 with the best numbers of his career, before being traded to Boston where both he and the Red Sox imploded to end the year. With the Orioles, Cashner was worth 1.8 Wins Above Replacement, posted his lowest walk rate since 2014 with the San Diego Padres, had his lowest ground ball rate since 2013, and owned an ERA of 3.83 across 17 starts.

While the win/loss record doesn’t speak to a level of success, he did have nine wins on a team that had just 27 total wins by the time he was traded in mid-July.

Pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota on February 11th. Ideally, if the Orioles are going to bring in a veteran like Cashner, the deal is done before or close to this date. Not because they need the early workouts, but to help show this large group of young pitchers how to go about the day-to-day business in the big leagues.

The Baltimore Orioles might bring back veteran RHP Andrew Cashner this offseason.

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