Fansided

Orioles sign Andrew Cashner to multi-year deal

By Zach Houle

2ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 30: Andrew Cashner #54 of the Texas Rangers in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)
2ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 30: Andrew Cashner #54 of the Texas Rangers in the first inning against the Oakland Athletics at Globe Life Park in Arlington on September 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Right-hander Andrew Cashner signed with a club in desperate need of a starter in the Baltimore Orioles.

The Baltimore Orioles have needed starting pitching for a long time, but they never have gotten lucky in signing a quality pitcher. Ownership has been wary since the terrible Ubaldo Jiminez contract. Now, the club has gone in and signed one of the best second-tier pitchers on the market in Andrew Cashner. The Orioles signed him on a 2-year/$16 million dollar contract. This was a nice move for Baltimore considering they need a reliable guy.

So, the Orioles have dipped into their pockets for an upgrade on the mound.  With that said, they have added a quality guy for $8 million per year. He is an innings-eater that can get ground balls and provide depth as a starter. Cashner can save wear-and-tear on the bullpen as well. Baltimore is having their competitive window creaked a little bit longer with this signing, but a rebuild is right around the corner without a quality farm system.

For now, the Orioles have a steady top three in the starting rotation. Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy and Cashner are a decent trio that could keep them in the playoff hunt. Yet could Baltimore make another addition? They swept in and signed Cashner for cheap, so another deal may be in the works. With that said, pitchers Lance Lynn and Alex Cobb are other possible free-agent targets. The Orioles might as well maximize the Manny Machado window before he’s gone.

Baltimore could sign a few more paychecks to acquire another starter. This free agency has been a slow one and the club could take advantage. The Orioles aren’t better than the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees. To combat that, they have signed a veteran starting pitcher that can provide quality starts and innings.

Next: Who are the top 10 SP in the MLB?

In 2017, Cashner tossed a 3.40 ERA and did that while pitching home games at Great American Ballpark. The only negative to look at is his diminished K/9 which was a minuscule 4.64. A positive is that his LOB% is one of the best of his career at 74 percent. So, the club has made good in signing a guy that can pitch in a hitter’s ballpark. The Orioles are a club that went out and acquired their need. Free agency seems to be picking up a little bit with this signing.

Home/Baltimore Orioles