Marlins unlikely to bring back Cashner, Rodney

The Marlins are unlikely to re-sign Andrew Cashner and exercise Fernando Rodney’s option for 2017, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Cashner and Rodney were both acquired from the Padres, but in separate deals.

According to Jackson, Cashner cost the Marlins $360,000 with the Padres covering the remaining $2.17 million. Considering that Cashner is 30 and pitched with a 5.98 ERA and a 4.68 FIP in Miami—while being worth -0.6 bWAR—it might not be a bad option for the Marlins to let him walk.

Rodney has a club option for 2017 that is worth $2m or a $400,000 buyout, according to Cot’s Baseball Contracts, and the “price of 2017 option increases based on amount earned in performance bonuses during 2016 season.” It’s almost certain that if Rodney had pitched in Miami the way he pitched in San Diego, exercising the option would be a no-brainer. However, Rodney went from being a lights out closer with the Padres, recording a 0.31 ERA, 2.31 FIP, 1.8 bWAR in 28 games, to having a 5.89 ERA, 4.97 FIP, and -0.8 bWAR in 39 games in Miami.

Had the Marlins continued their trend toward being a contender this season, then maybe Cashner and Rodney would be back next season—especially if they played a huge role in bringing the team to the postseason. As it stands, barring a lack of supply on the market this offseason, the two pitchers likely won’t be seen back in a black, yellow, orange, and blue colored uniform next season.