In an ongoing series, we'll take a look at possible free-agent and trade targets for the Texas Rangers this winter.
Target: Andrew Cashner, RHP
2014 stats: 5-7, 2.55 ERA, 93 strikeouts, 29 walks, 123 1/3 innings pitched
Cashner only made 19 starts in 2014, But the were effective ones for the San Diego Padres. The Conroe native and former TCU star is in his arbitration eligible years and is pitching at an affordable rate for a guy who could easily fill the No. 3 starter role the Rangers are looking to get this winter.
The fact that A.J. Preller, Jon Daniels' longtime right-hand man in Arlington, is now the Padres' general manager could bode well in the Rangers acquiring Cashner, whose price is certain to go up in the coming years when he hits free agency in 2017. Preller could want any number of Rangers prospects in return, and if there's anyone in the league familiar with Rangers prospects, it'd be Preller. It'd be interesting to see what it would take to get Cashner, but he could probably be had without the Rangers having to part with any of their primo prospects.
