Will Andrew Cashner finally be able to tap into his potential with the Rangers?
The signing of right-hander Andrew Cashner has created a buzz and excitement around Globe Life Park in Arlington not seen in years.
Yeah, I’m kidding.
The Rangers, perennially on the search for starting pitching, have apparently decided to hand over $10 million to the under-whelming Cashner in a one-year deal, according to MLB.com. On the Texas radar for the past two seasons, Cashner has never come close to the hype that accompanied him when he was the 19th pick of the 2008 draft by the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs later traded him to the Padres in 2012 in a deal for Anthony Rizzo.
Think the Cubs are happy about that move?
Cashner, 30, was a combined 5-11 with a 5.25 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP in 27 starts and one relief appearance with the Padres and Marlins last season. He also spent three weeks on the disabled list with a neck strain. His fastball averaged a career-low 93.3 mph and he averaged more than four walks and less than eight strikeouts per nine innings.
What’s not to like, right?
Rangers pitching coach Doug Brocail thinks he can “fix” Cashner, but I have my doubts. This is a guy who has won double-digit games one time in his career, walks too many batters and has never pitched in the American League where the designated hitter is used.
Cashner’s acquisition pretty much guarantees that fan-favorite Derek Holland will not be returning to Texas in any form. Holland, (7-9, 4.95 in 2016) who had a relatively healthy season after two years hampered by freak injuries, is similar to Cashner in many ways. Both are 30 years old, both have seen a drastic decline in their fastball, both have ERAs around 5.00 and both have been massive disappointments over the past few seasons. But Holland is a lefty, and southpaws are always a premium.
The club has also not been in contact with Colby Lewis, which probably means the 37-year-old veteran has also seen his last round-up in a Rangers uniform. Lewis was dynamite through mid-June of last year before getting injured, with his June 16 complete game two-hitter over the A’s being one of his best career outings. But he didn’t appear to be the same pitcher when he returned, not a great indicator for a guy winding down his career.
For Rangers fans who have heard rumors of the team trying to acquire the White Sox’ Chris Sale—a true ace—news of Cashner’s signing is like finding out there’s no Santa Claus. A lot of hype leading only to extreme disappointment.
Mitch Cox is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Mitch, check out his archive and follow @chicofathead.
