5 players who won't be back with the Boston Red Sox in 2020

5 players who won’t be back with the Boston Red Sox in 2020

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 10: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox rounds third base after hitting a home run in the first inning during a MLB game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 10, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images /

3. P Andrew Cashner

Some people pointed to Cashner as a sneaky-good trade acquisition for the Red Sox in July, as he escaped the Baltimore Orioles and wouldn’t necessarily cost much. Peripheral numbers suggested being on a better team would be good for him, as it would be for anyone.

But it was not to be for Cashner, as the right-hander has posted a 5.60 ERA for Boston (entering Saturday) over 24 appearances (six starts). His $10 million team option for next year will not vest, as the 340 total innings activation threshold from this year and last year will not nearly be met (302.1 innings going into Saturday). There’s some chance, if he struggles to find a team to sign with this offseason, the 33-year old will simply retire.

The Red Sox could circle back to Cashner this offseason, and give him a second chance as a long reliever/spot starter over a full season at a low salary. But there isn’t anything, beyond a better than his career mark K/9 rate (7.1) during his current stint to make that move likely unless Cashner gets an endorsement from someone on the Boston coaching staff.

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