MLB free agency: One free agent each team should sign

Pittsburgh Pirates: Andrew Cashner

Despite the rumblings that Andrew McCutchen may have just played his last home game with the Pirates, there have been no real rumblings that a trade is imminent. The Pirates would have traded McCutchen in July if they were serious about starting a rebuild. His value will not increase dramatically this offseason as he enters his walk year.

The Pirates have not given a direct signal about their plans for the 2018 season, but holding onto most key trade chips at this year’s deadline seems to indicate that they would like to make one last push at contending with their current group of players before surrendering. The roster is still solid enough to have dreams of getting back to winning again in 2018.

Pittsburgh will need to supplement their rotation this winter if they are serious about going for it next year. They are set at the top with Gerrit Cole and Ivan Nova, but the remaining three spots are still up for grabs. Prospects Chad Kuhl and Tyler Glasnow may be more suited to bullpen work than starting if their command cannot improve.

Andrew Cashner is the type of pitcher who is suited to work with Pirates pitching guru Ray Searage. Pittsburgh has been very successful with pitchers who can ride their two-seam fastballs to plenty of groundballs and weak contact. Cashner is one of the best in the league in that regard. The big right-hander pitched to a solid ERA this year, but teams may be scared off by his very low strikeout rate and peripheral stats that point to a regression next year. If the Pirates can get Cashner on a deal similar to Nova’s they should pull the trigger.