Padres: Trevor Cahill emerging as a solid waiver wire add?

Trevor Cahill is pitching well for the Padres since returning from the DL. But, is the veteran now a must add off the waiver wire?

The Padres are in the middle of a complete rebuild. They entered the season with easily the leagues worst rotation, and for the most part, they have pitched like it. But, they did gamble in the offseason on Trevor Cahill, and he has emerged as their best starter.

But, is he worth a waiver wire add moving forward?

Trevor Cahill is in his ninth career year in the majors and has carved himself out a decent career. He was solid in Oakland and then Arizona, but the wheels fell off in 2014 and 2015. His ERA those years were north of 5.00, and it seemed as though his career was in the balance.

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Yet, the Chicago Cubs took a gamble on him at the end of the 2015 season, inserting him into the middle of the bullpen. Once in the bullpen for the Cubs, Cahill really hit his stride again posting a 2.74 ERA over 65 innings of work in 2016. That success parlayed itself into him getting a one year deal this offseason from the Padres.

The Padres hoped at worse that Cahill would eat innings, yet things went south fast in April as he would hit the DL, and then again in May. He finally made his return before the All-Star break and has been solid ever since.

Cahill has been steady in July, the Phillies did get him for four runs over five innings a few weeks ago, yet his stuff looks sharp. Cahill’s biggest asset is his command, but this season the K numbers have taken a noticeable jump. He is posting an 11 K/9 this season, a five K jump from his career norm.

Cahill does not wow with velocity, he instead uses an assortment of pitches to fool batters. His curveball usage is also up to nearly 25%, also a career high, and the ground ball rate is still stellar at 57%.

The Padres lineup is terrible, but playing his home games at Petco does him wonders as he has a 0.72 ERA at home in 2017. Cahill’s next start comes against the same Giants that he was able to limit to one run over six innings while striking out eight just a week ago.

Next: Cardinals: Trevor Rosenthal back as closer

Finally healthy, and continually sharpening his arsenal, fantasy owners should give Cahill a closer look off the waiver wire. The increased K rate is a huge boost to his value, and the one area he always lacked.

Make the move.

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