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MLB Trade Deadline: 5 best spots for Andrew Cashner

By Dave Stevenson

May 3, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Andrew Cashner (34) pitches during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Andrew Cashner (34) pitches during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Pittsburgh Pirates

Look out for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They finally seem to be hitting their stride in July. The Pirates currently have a 47-45 record and they stand just three games behind the Miami Marlins for the second wild card spot. With a relatively weak schedule for the next month or so, the Pirates are primed to continue to make up for their early season struggles.

One area of need for the Pirates is their starting pitching. They only have two starting pitchers with an ERA+ of over 100 and one of them (Jameson Taillon) is on the disabled list. If they are going to make a run in the playoffs, they need to shore up their rotation by any means necessary. There would be far worse ideas than taking a flier on Cashner and hoping that he can rebound to his pre-2016 performance.

The Pirates have had a lot of luck recently in turning pitchers’ careers around. Most recently, Francisco Liriano and Edinson Volquez have been beneficiaries of that. Cashner has an impressive track record and was considered by many to be a dark horse to win the 2015 NL Cy Young before the 2015 season began. He also likely wouldn’t cost the Pirates too much. The Pirates need to improve their rotation and Cashner might be the best answer for them.

Next: 4. Houston Astros

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