Texas Rangers: Should Andrew Cashner Get The Qualifying Offer?

The off-season is fast approaching and the Texas Rangers need to decide what they want to do with Andrew Cashner. Should the organization make the $17.4 million qualifying offer to Cashner?

At first glance it’s hard to imagine Andrew Cashner being worth $17.4 million dollars to the Texas Rangers. Well, he is and the organization should make him the qualifying offer this winter even if the cost is a bit higher than expected.

It’s unlikely Cashner accepts the qualifying offer even if the Rangers do give him it this winter. If Cashner declines the offer, and signs elsewhere then the Rangers do get a draft pick as compensation.

The Rangers are looking to add reliable starters this off-season, so the draft pick doesn’t have much value to the organization. Cashner went 11-11 with a 3.40 ERA in 28 starts with a career-high 4.6 WAR.

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Most likely Cashner will pass on the $17 million and look to obtain a three or four year deal with a little less per year. He’s coming off arguably the best season of his career, and will likely look to cash-in on a multiple year deal.

If Cashner takes the qualifying offer then has a rough 2018 it will significantly hurt them in the following off-season. The best move for his career is to decline the QO and head into the off-season seeking a multiple year deal.

Cashner signed a $10 million deal in 2017 with the Rangers, and he was coming off a horrible season. This off-season he could likely seek something in the range of $12-15 million a year for three or four years.

The pitching market isn’t going to be fantastic, and Cashner did have success in Arlington. If Cashner declines the QO, then the Rangers should still go after him this off-season, and hopefully re-sign him for at least 2018.

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