White Sox: Andrew Cashner Could Provide Depth to Starting Rotation
White Sox will need depth in their starting rotation for 2018. Veteran right-hander could be perfect free agent signing for rebuilding ballclub.
The Chicago White Sox aren’t expected to sign any top tier free agents this offseason as they continue their rebuild. With a young team entering the second season of the current rebuild in 2018, the Sox will still need to add depth in certain areas for next year.
One of those areas is the starting rotation. The Sox still need to add another starting pitcher to their rotation next year, and they could potentially target a veteran right-hander this offseason. Andrew Cashner, 31, didn’t receive a qualifying offer from the Texas Rangers earlier this week.
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Cashner is coming off one of his better seasons as a starting pitcher in 2017 and could very well be a solid option for the Sox in 2018. The first round pick of the Chicago Cubs in the 2008 draft went 11-11 with a 3.40 ERA for the Rangers this past season. Cashner compiled a career-high 4.6 WAR for Texas and also posted his best WHIP since 2014 at 1.320.
This past season, Cashner started 28 games for the Rangers. He recorded 86 strikeouts for Texas, his lowest total as a starter in his major league career. Although his ERA was under four, his FIP was 4.61 in 2017. This was the second consecutive season where his FIP was over four. In 2016 with the San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins, Cashner’s FIP was 4.84.
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The Sox will need another starting pitcher in their rotation for next year and Cashner could provide solid depth for the team in 2018. With a team that most likely won’t contend, Cashner very well could provide the Sox with trade value before the trading deadline. If the Sox do sign Cashner this offseason, expect him to get a one or two year contract. The Sox need more depth and Cashner could help them solidify their starting rotation.