The Boston Red Sox have been needing starting pitching help since early in the year, and Saturday afternoon they started to move in the right direction. With this trade, it should really improve the Red Sox into the team everyone was expecting.
The Trade
The Red Sox traded two Dominican Summer League players, outfielder Noelberth Romero, and infielder Elio Prado to Baltimore for Andrew Cashner. Cashner seems to be the missing link that could bring the Red Sox’s dreams of playing deep into October a reality.
All in all, this trade played out great for both parties. The Red Sox received the great starting pitching help that will boost the team. The Orioles receive two very young talented ballplayers.
Why Cashner?
Cashner can give his team a healthy seven innings every fifth day, he has a modest 3.83 ERA in 96.1 innings this season. He is not a strikeout specialist by any means, but his pitches usually cause a lot of groundballs which aid in keeping him an elite pitcher.
The Rotation
The Red Sox pitching rotation with Cashner should look like this with Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Andrew Cashner. I could easily see the Red Sox jumping Cashner to the number three slot after he gets settled in because Porcello been getting whipped this season on the mound who flaunts a 5.16 ERA. Chris Sale is just as guilty of getting hit all over the place lately winning only three of his 19 starts this year.
Was This a Good Trade?
I think the Red Sox made the right move with calling in Cashner especially for just two very low-level minor leaguers, so there is no real risk factor. Plus on a positive note that could help the struggling down the road too. The Orioles are in full rebuild right now so this could be great for them.
