Texas Rangers: Should Andrew Cashner Still Be on The Radar?

General manager Jon Daniels has put a lot of work into restructuring the Texas Rangers starting rotation. Is Texas done adding or could Andrew Cashner still be on their radar?

The Texas Rangers took a chance on Andrew Cashner in 2017. They signed him to a one-year deal worth $10 million, hopeful that he’d rebound. Cashner did exactly that, but now sits in free agency without a team, but could Texas re-sign him?

Last season, Cashner went 11-11 with a 3.40 ERA in 28 starts with Texas. He finished with a 4.6 WAR, which is by far the best of his career. He’s coming off arguably the best season of his career, but is still available on the free agent market.

In the meantime, the Rangers have signed Doug Fister, Mike Minor, and acquired Matt Moore to fill-in their rotation. Cole Hamels and Martin Perez are the returning members to the Rangers rotation. Does Cashner even fit on this organization anymore?

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The Rangers will start the 2018 campaign without Perez. That means, a spot will be available in the rotation, but only for a short period of time. Minor, who was a reliever in 2017, is the only starter on the team locked up long-term.

GM Jon Daniels has put together a short-term rotation, in an attempt to compete in 2018. While, it may work, the Rangers are going to be looking to fill just as many rotation spots next season. At some point, the Rangers need to sign or acquire talent long-term.

It’s difficult to establish consistent winning and good chemistry when many of your players are one-and-done. The Rangers found a way to tap into that 1st round potential of Cashner’s that the Cubs saw in 2008.

These recent additions have made it difficult to re-sign Cashner this off-season. Minor would likely head to the bullpen, if the Rangers added another arm. The Rangers continue to go with the low-cost, and likely low reward route, and it will equal minimal success.

Next: Should Keone Kela Close in 2018?

The Rangers refuse to offer long-term deals to veteran players, and sometimes that’s smart. It also causes you to often have second-tier type talent. Honestly, the Rangers need to sign Cashner, but it’s unlikely going to happen.