Fansided

One free agent each MLB team should sign right now

By Joshua Sadlock

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 27: Starting pitcher Alex Cobb
CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 27: Starting pitcher Alex Cobb /
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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 5: Trevor Cahill #34 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the third inning at Comerica Park on September 5, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Royals 13-2. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 5: Trevor Cahill #34 of the Kansas City Royals pitches against the Detroit Tigers during the third inning at Comerica Park on September 5, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Royals 13-2. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Oakland Athletics: Trevor Cahill

Of all the small-market teams in baseball, the Athletics still do the best job at signing low-risk veterans and flipping them for prospects at the trade deadline. They have managed to turn small contracts for Rich Hill, Ryan Madson, Yonder Alonso and several others into prospect gold, the true currency for a rebuilding team.

It does make sense for teams like the A’s to take a flier here and there on cheap veterans that could become attractive to a contender in July. Short-term deals don’t break the bank, and function as a way to “buy” extra draft picks if everything works out.

Looking at the current Oakland roster, there are not many assets left that could fetch much return in a trade outside of second baseman Jed Lowrie. There is one free agent on the market with a connection to the A’s that might be worth a look. Trevor Cahill went 40-35 with a 3.91 ERA for Oakland from 2009 to 2011.

After leaving the A’s, Cahill bounced around the league as a starter and reliever, and did a good job for the Cubs in 2016. After leaving Chicago, the 29-year-old right-hander decided to try and re-establish himself as a starter and signed with the San Diego Padres. Cahill was 4-3 with a 3.69 ERA in 11 starts for the Padres before being traded to the Royals. He was dealing with shoulder issues most of the year and struggled in Kansas City. If the shoulder is healed, Cahill could function as a solid back-end starter for a team like the A’s.

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