MLB Trade Rumors: Orioles pursuing Padres’ pitcher Andrew Cashner

As we approach the MLB Trade Deadline, the Baltimore Orioles are looking for some pitching help.

It should be no surprise. Of any of the contenders left, a strong case can be made that the Orioles have the worst starting rotation of any of them. That is why it was a bit of a surprise to hear that they may be dangling a pitcher, Ubaldo Jimenez, in order to add outfield help in Melvin Upton.

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Orioles may be moving Jimenez, because they are replacing him in a separate deal with the Padres involving Andrew Cashner.

While Upton and Cashner are both on the Padres, this appears to be two separate deals as Rosenthal notes. The Padres want Jimenez and a bit more for Upton and want nothing but prospects for Cashner.

Cashner has not had the strongest season, or even past two years. He finished 2015 with a 4.34 ERA, and through 15 starts this season has a 4.79 ERA.

Still, he has a career 3.72 ERA. Also, his ERA this season would be better than Jimenez, Yovani Gallardo, Mike Wright, and Tyler Wilson.

Those four pitchers have a combined 53 starts this season and have thrown for over 286 innings for the Orioles this season. Therefore, while Cashner does not look like an ace that puts a team over the hump, you can understand why the Orioles would be interested in his services.

If they are able to pull off a deal that results in upgrading from Jimenez, and adding an outfielder such as Upton for Jimenez, it should be looked at as the Orioles taking care of business.

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