The Baltimore Orioles are still one of few MLB clubs scouring the free agent/trade markets as they hope to add starting pitching before the 2016 season. Rumors have linked the O's to a number of arms, but they've yet to find the right match.
Could they get creative and call up the San Diego Padres to ask about right-hander Andrew Cashner?
Baltimore doesn't have that much money to spend and they have little to trade for, but considering the Padres figure to be out of contention next year, it's possible they'd be open to trading Cashner, who is owed $7.15 million in 2016 and will hit free agency in 2017.
"Did [the Orioles'] desire to hold onto their first-round draft pick increase as the weeks melted off the calendar? They were deep in discussions with Yovani Gallardo's agent, but they now seem much more reluctant to give up the 14th overall selection," writes Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com.
"Keep an eye on the Padres' Andrew Cashner, a free agent after this season who interests the Orioles."
"It still seems more realistic that the Orioles acquire a starter via trade, as long as teams stop asking for Kevin Gausman."
General manager Dan Duquette has expressed the team does not want to surrender the 14th overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft, especially since their ailing farm system needs all the help it can get. Rumors also linked them to Doug Fister and Ian Kennedy, but both have signed elsewhere.
Another option for Baltimore could be free-agent right-hander Tim Lincecum, who is holding a showcase for MLB teams this month to prove he's healthy after undergoing hip surgery.
Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun is reporting that the Orioles are "one of several teams that have expressed interest" in Lincecum. Although their level of interest is "unclear," the former two-time Cy Young winner would be a low-risk, high-reward type player that wouldn't cost them a draft pick.
The Orioles' rotation took a big hit when Wei-Yin Chen signed with the Miami Marlins. The unit now consists for Gausman, Chris Tillman, Miguel Gonzalez, Ubaldo Jimenez and Mike Wright, which is a bad recipe for competing amongst the offensive powerhouses in the AL East.
Stay tuned for updates on their pursuit of starting pitching.
