SARASOTA, Fla. — The Baltimore Orioles signed right-hander Andrew Cashner to a two-year, $16 million contract on Thursday after searching for starting pitching all off-season.
The 31-year-old Cashner is 42-64 with a 3.80 ERA in eight major league seasons with the Chicago Cubs, San Diego, Miami and Texas, including 11-11 with a 3.40 ERA for the Rangers last year. The deal with the Orioles has an option for 2020.
He’ll join right-handers Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman in the rotation.
"I do know that they need some starting pitching, and here it is, show up every day and whoever I can help out, help out and my job is to come here and pitch and win," Cashner said.
Cashner’s deal that could be worth $41 million over three seasons if he pitches 200 innings annually. He gets a $3 million signing bonus, payable in equal installments each Jan. 15 from 2020 through 2021.
Cashner has salaries of $5 million this season and $8 million in 2019, and there is a $10 million option for 2020 that would become guaranteed if he pitches 340 innings combined in the next two seasons. If he reaches 360 innings, it would become a player option.
He can make $5 million in performance bonuses each year.
There are $1,525,000 per season in bonuses based on starts: $250,000 each for 10 and 15, $625,000 for 20 and $400,000 for 30.
Cashner also can make $3,475,000 each year based on innings: $250,000 each for 110 and 120, $275,000 for 130, $350,000 for 140, $750,000 for 150 and $400,000 apiece for 170, 180, 190 and 200.
Cashner was at the Orioles’ spring training facility, and was due to head to his Texas home for a few days before returning on Sunday when Baltimore’s full squad is required to report. He’ll likely work out with the team for the first time Monday.
He has little experience against the Orioles, but said he was excited to join the team.
"It’s a lineup you can’t really make a lot of mistakes against," Cashner said. "It’s a lot of power in there, and I got to pitch (for) San Diego one year in Baltimore. Really cool stadium, really neat, a lot of history. It’s one of my favourite places to pitch, so I’m looking forward to making that my home (stadium) every night."
Manager Buck Showalter said Cashner would be an ideal addition to the club.
"He’s a veteran starter. That’s a good deal for both us and him," Showalter said. "He’s a guy who’s pitched well in the American League. That’s something that I think played in his favour.
Cashner said that he began negotiations with Orioles Vice-President of Baseball Operations Brady Anderson last fall and in a challenging off-season for free agents, he said patience was vital.
"I don’t think it’s been difficult. It’s been interesting. It’s been different," Cashner said.
To make room for Cashner on the 40-man roster, Baltimore placed left-hander Zach Britton (Achilles) on the 60-day disabled list.
[relatedlinks]
