23 Jan 2016 19:46:55
San Diego trades SP Andrew Cashner to Minnesota for INF/ OF Danny Santana and pitching prospects Kohl Stewart and Alex Meyer.

It makes no sense for the Padres to hang on to Cashner since they will not contend this year, and he is a free agent after this season. This is a better package than the draft pick the team would get if another team signed him. Minnesota's rotation gets better as Duffey or Milone goes to the pen, and San Diego adds to its young talent base.

1.) 24 Jan 2016
23 Jan 2016 21:54:18
Wouldn't the return for Cashner be much higher if they moved him at the trade deadline?

2.) 24 Jan 2016
24 Jan 2016 03:26:59
No. If the Padres move Cashner after the season starts, the team that deals for him won't have the opportunity of giving a qualifying offer.

3.) 24 Jan 2016
24 Jan 2016 04:08:17
MN wouldn't give up that much for a year of Cashner, plus the move would just block Berrios more.

4.) 25 Jan 2016
24 Jan 2016 23:49:07
Stewart is Minnesota's 2nd best starting prospect. They aren't trading him for a one year guy so they can move another starter to the bullpen.

Minnesota has enough arms for the rotation. They already have 2 starting caliber pitchers in the bullpen plus Berrios ready for the majors.

Minnesota has 8 pitchers ready and capible of starting (Santana, Hughes, Gibson, Milone, Duffy, Berrios, Nolasco, and May) .

5.) 25 Jan 2016
25 Jan 2016 06:02:15
^7 starting pitchers, Nolasco doesn't count.

6.) 26 Jan 2016
26 Jan 2016 00:45:48
^Fair enough.

7.) 26 Jan 2016
26 Jan 2016 02:30:57
Carl, that bunch you named is a pretty gruesome group. It's hard to believe the Twins won more than 50 games last year with that group.

8.) 27 Jan 2016
27 Jan 2016 00:44:39
Walker,

Really, your going to compare the rotations of Minnesota to your Rangers? Minnesota's rotation was better than Texas's across the board.

And Minnesota's 2016 projected rotation (Santana, Hughes, Gibson, Milone, and Duffy) were a combined 43-31 with a 3.96 ERA in 107 starts last year. They had a 56 QS, a WHIP of 1.294, and a SO/ W ratio of 2.67. Those numbers, over a full season, would have put Minnesota's rotation in the top half in the American league. And this year, they will have Santana, Duffy, and Milone for a full season, Hughes will be in shape and healthy, and Gibson continues to improve.

Minnesota has built one of the best minor leagues in baseball. They are not giving up prospects to get a quick fix for one year.