MLB rumors: 5 players the Minnesota Twins need to trade for

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 06: Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Trevor Bauer (47) reacts on the mound after giving up a 2-run single to Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (7) (not pictured) during the sixth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians on May 6, 2019, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2 of 5

Mandatory Credit: Alex Trautwig/MLB Photos via Getty Images /

4. Andrew Cashner, SP, Baltimore Orioles

Andrew Cashner has a 4.10 ERA over nine starts for the Orioles this year. But he has allowed two earned runs or less in four of his last five outings, with a 3.21 ERA and a 31:7 K/BB ratio over 28 innings in that span.

A closer look shows the utility Cashner may offer. The first time through the batting order so far this season, opposing hitters are hitting .213/.272/.347 along with a 24.7 percent strikeout rate. The third time through the order, his opposing hitters’ slash-line bumps to .333/.422/.410 with a 15.6 percent strikeout rate. A role as a reliever might be perfect for him.

Cashner needs 340 innings between this season and last to kick in a $10 million vesting option for 2020. He’s at 201.1 right now (48.1 innings this year), ahead of his next start Tuesday night. Orioles’ general manager Mike Elias would surely like to remove even that remote possibility from next year’s payroll, and offloading a portion of what’s left of Cashner’s $9.5 million for this year would probably be nice as well.

Cashner is not a needle-moving acquisition who would inspire Twins’ fans to buy World Series tickets. But he looks like a pretty solid fit, even mostly as a mid-grade bullpen arm who can fill a starting spot if needed.

Hypothetical Trade:

Home/Minnesota Twins