The Red Sox have added a starting pitcher.
Boston acquired Andrew Cashner and cash considerations from the Orioles in exchange for minor league infielder Noelberth Romero and minor league outfielder Elio Prado, the team announced Saturday.
The #RedSox today acquired RHP Andrew Cashner and cash considerations from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for minor league INF Noelberth Romero and minor league OF Elio Prado.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) July 13, 2019
Boston’s 40-man roster is now at 40.
The defending World Series champions have been rumored to be looking for pitching help over the last few weeks and they have now taken action.
With Cashner it remains to be seen exactly how they'll use him. He is in the middle of a very good year for Baltimore as he has posted a 9-3 record with a 3.83 ERA, but the Red Sox have a pretty well set rotation even if it has underachieved.
However, Boston is supposed to get Nathan Eovaldi back soon from injury, but that doesn't mean Cashner won't start. Eovaldi has been rumored to be making a move to the bullpen when he gets back so Cashner very well could be a starter down the stretch for the Red Sox.
But even if he isn't, or if he is just a reliever in the postseason simply due to roster constraints and trying to get the best pitchers onto the staff, Cashner's stuff plays up out of the bullpen.
He tones it down as a starter but could still hit the high 90s in short stints. Boston has added a good pitcher as either a starter or reliever. That is the big news for the Red Sox.
But does this mean the team is done dealing? It's doubtful.