Baltimore Orioles hoping desperation leads to Cobb, Cashner deal

It is not a surprise that Baltimore Orioles pitchers Alex Cobb and Andrew Cashner would have been placed on trade waivers. The Orioles just need to hope a team is desperate enough for pitching to claim them.

As the Baltimore Orioles careen towards the first overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, they are understandably looking to part ways with any expensive contract they would have left on the books. Manny Machado, Kevin Gausman, and others have already departed. Adam Jones remains, only because he would not waive his 10-5 rights. It would not be a surprise to see other players depart from the Orioles during the waiver trade period in August.

With a little under a week left, the Orioles have seen two other players pass through waivers. Pitchers Alex Cobb and Andrew Cashner have passed through the waiver system, unclaimed by another team. In theory, the Orioles would now be free to trade the two pitchers to any team in the next few days.

Of course, there are questions about any actual interest in either pitcher. Given that neither has especially set the world afire this season, and are signed beyond the 2018 campaign, it is questionable that either pitcher will move. At this point, the Orioles may need to hope that desperation overrides discretion for those teams on the cusp of the postseason.

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Cashner has been his usual mediocre self this season. After a miraculous run last season, when he somehow posted a 3.40 ERA despite subpar metrics and a 4.61 FIP, Cashner is essentially proving to be the same pitcher. However, this year, his performance has been more in line with those supporting numbers. His 4.84 ERA and 1.500 WhiP, coupled with a 6.2 K/9 and a 3.8 BB/9 rate, are not likely to attract attention. Add in the fact that he is due another $9.5 million in 2019, and an additional $10 million in 2020 as a team option, or a guaranteed year if he hits 340 innings over the previous two seasons, and Cashner is likely to stay in Baltimore.

Cobb, meanwhile, could be an interesting option. His overall numbers, a 4-15 record with a 5.00 ERA and a 1.413 WHiP, hardly seem to be enticing. Yet, since July 13, Cobb has posted a 2.24 ERA and a 1.070 WHiP, holding opponents to a .229/.277/.328 batting line. If a team thinks that this streak is sustainable, his remaining three years and $43 million left on his contract could be palatable.

Even though Cobb has been performing better lately, the Orioles would still be willing to part ways with him. This recent run of success notwithstanding, Cobb, and Cashner for that matter, have considerable question marks. Can they really be a difference maker for a team aiming for the playoffs?

The Baltimore Orioles are certainly hoping another team is desperate enough to hope that is the case. Otherwise, those contracts will remain, making the rebuilding process take longer.