Mets: Analyzing starters who could be potential targets in free agency

Andrew Cashner-Texas Rangers

Is Andrew Cashner proving he’s more durable now? He suffered through injuries in 2014 and had a dreadful campaign last year. This season has been much better for Cashner who spent it with the Texas Rangers. It was his first season in the American League after previous stops with the Cubs, Padres, and Marlins.

The results have been solid, Monday’s start against Houston notwithstanding. Cashner ranks in the top ten in the AL in ERA+ and wins above replacement. He lowered his hits and walks per nine innings from last year, all while pitching in more hitter friendly ballparks.

Cashner’s days of lighting up the radar gun are over. He used to possess a fastball that could average 96-97 and touch 100. Nowadays, Cashner’s heater sits at 93. He doesn’t strike anybody out either. Cashner recorded just 84 strikeouts in 160.2 innings.

The biggest thing is Cashner did is find ways to get outs quicker. Last year, he averaged 17.9 pitches per inning and logged 132 innings in 27 starts. This year, Cashner averaged 15.7 pitchers per inning and threw nearly 30 more innings in the same number of starts.

There are several different directions the Mets can go for a reliable mid to back of rotation starter. It will be interesting to see how this search plays out as we hit the off-season.