Red Sox Acquire Andrew Cashner from Orioles For Two Prospects

Image credit: Boston Red Sox

Needing a fifth starter, the Red Sox became the team to kick off the trade deadline season in earnest by acquiring righthander Andrew Cashner from the Orioles.

In return, the Orioles picked up a pair of Dominican Summer League position players as they pivot toward picking up as many young, high-upside players as possible for the organization’s future.

 

ORIOLES ACQUIRE

Elio Prado, OF
Age: 17

Prado was a relatively low-cost signing of the Red Sox out of Venezuela last year, but he’s quickly impressed in his very limited pro career. He runs well enough to potentially stay in center field and has a more advanced batting eye than the average teenager in the Dominican Summer League. Prado’s upside is as a center fielder with power and speed, but there are many years and many levels to master before he reaches that ceiling.

Noelberth Romero, SS
Age: 17

Romero was the bigger name when the Red Sox signed this pair a year ago. A smooth defender with soft hands, a feel for the game and the actions to stay in the dirt, Romero has primarily played third base this season, although he should be able to handle shortstop or second base as well. He has a strong arm that may be plus one day. Like many young DSL players, a lot of his offensive potential will depend on how he fills out over the next half decade, but he has a smooth righthanded swing.

RED SOX ACQUIRE

Andrew Cashner, RHP
Age: 32

Cashner seemed to be poised to cash in after the 2017 season in which he went 11-11, 3.40 for the Rangers. But teams seemed generally skeptical, as his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) stats were not noticeably improved and his strikeout rate (4.6 batters per nine inning) was a career low. Cashner ended up settling for a two-year, $16 million deal with the Orioles. He struggled for the Orioles in 2018, but he has bounced back nicely this year to go 9-3, 3.83. He fits for the Red Sox as a relatively durable and reliable back-of-the-rotation option. Righthander Nathan Eovaldi was supposed to be part of that rotation, but he has missed most of the season with an elbow injury and is now expected to serve as the team’s closer when he returns. Cashner will take his place in the rotation.