Miami Marlins: Andrew Cashner Open to Talking Extension
The Miami Marlins traded for starter Andrew Cashner before the trade deadline. Now, that trade looks like a huge mistake for the team.
Andrew Cashner has said that he is open to talking about an extension, but under one condition. Cashner has told the team that he will be open to talking an extension if the team gets rid of its no beard policy. Cashner said that the no beard policy that the Marlins and other teams have will be a huge part of his free agency decision this winter. Even if the Marlins want Cashner, they probably will not be able to afford his services.
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This year’s starting pitching free agency list is the worst in years. The top pitcher set to hit free agency this winter is Dodgers starter Rich Hill. That may not even happen as the Dodgers are currently looking into extending Hill. The lack of pitching talent on the market will cause teams to overpay for average pitchers. Andrew Cashner will benefit tremendously from this weak market and score himself a nice long-term deal. The Marlins do not traditionally give pitchers huge contracts, so we will see what they decide to do with Cashner.
Don Mattingly has said that the team does not intend to change the no beard policy. If so, they can cross him off their free agent targets. Cashner, 29, has been awful since being traded from the San Diego Padres. In 32 innings with the Marlins, he has allowed 55 base runners with an 0-4 record and 5.57 ERA. Those numbers do not seem to be helping Cashner’s extension talks.
The deal that sent Cashner to the Marlins is coming back to hurt the team. First, they traded for start Colin Rea along with Cashner, but he was unable to stay with the team. He injured his elbow in his first start with the Marlins, and the team essentially returned him back to the Padres. Rea was a young starter that the Marlins were excited about. The only bright sides of the deal are Luis Castillo (8-4, 2.07 ERA at Class A Jupiter) and Tayron Guerrero (1-1, 1.93 ERA at Double-A Jacksonville).
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The Marlins are stuck in a sticky situation. They almost have the team to contend right now, but their farm system is ranked 29th in baseball by MiLB.com. They have to go for it now but they do not have the team to do so. So is it time for the Marlins to rebuild once again, or do they get aggressive in free agency and go for it? Whether the team re-signs Cashner or not, it will be an indicator of what the future holds for the Miami Marlins.