MLB Hot Stove: San Diego Padres

Trading Andrew Cashner

The Padres must make a decision on the future of pitcher Andrew Cashner this offseason. The options are simple: sign him to a new multi-year contract or trade Cashner before he becomes a free agent after next season.

Preller will only consider trade proposals that include young prospects in return for Cashner, as this would be the final piece to revamping the team’s minor league system.

The Padres thought after acquiring him from the Chicago Cubs in January of 2012 that they finally added an ace to the top of their pitching staff. The results have been further from the truth.

Early on, Cashner had trouble staying in the rotation for an entire season due to an assortment of arm injuries. When healthy, Cashner was inconsistent from start-to- start, as he often finished with a double-digit strikeout performance but had that one bad inning that cost him the win. It’s hard to believe that he has struggled this badly with such a repertoire (blazing fastball, sharp slider and deceptive changeup) of pitches to throw.

Despite the right-hander’s disappointing 2105 season with a 6-16 record and 4.34 ERA, Cashner still has the potential to be dominant and the Padres may still want to work out a team-friendly contract extension with him.

It’s still unknown whether or not Cashner will be placed on the trade block, but the price to pry him away from San Diego will be high. Preller must see if there’s a market for him right now or wait to see what’s available at the July trading deadline.

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