The Marlins tried to improve their rotation Friday by acquiring Andrew Cashner from the Padres:

The Miami Marlins bolstered their starting rotation with some much-needed reinforcements Friday, acquiring right-handers Andrew Cashner and Colin Rea in a seven-player trade with the San Diego Padres.

The Marlins, eager to shore up their rotation for a playoff push, will also receive pitching prospect Tayron Guerrero and cash considerations for right-handers Jarred Cosart and Carter Capps and two minor leaguers, pitching prospect Luis Castillo and first baseman Josh Naylor.

Cashner pitched very well in 2013-2014 as he transitioned from the bullpen to the rotation. His strikeouts were down, but his walk rate was excellent and he didn’t allow home runs. Since the start of 2015, however, his strikeouts are up, but so are his walks and home runs, the result being an ERA about 1.6 runs higher than the previous two years. This comes with him pitching in a park that favors pitchers and helps him. I’m not sold on this move helping the Marlins. Rea is just entering his prime, but has yet to show good control in either the minor or the majors. The designation of Tayron Guerrero as a prospect is generous. He is 25 years old, has been in the minors since he was 19, and walks a ton of batters. I am underwhelmed with the Marlins haul.

On the other side, Cosart’s walks are two high and his strikeouts are too low, a deadly combination. Capps, however, is a blow the batters away reliever, always useful in the current environment of going to lights out pitchers from the seventh inning on. I very much like Castillo’s three true outcomes, although he strikes me as old for high A. Naylor is just 19 years old, but already listed as Firstbase/DH. Seems like he won’t be a defensive whiz.

Overall, I like the Padres side of the deal better, but the Marlins are trying to win this year. If they do that, the trades will be worth it.