Andrew Cashner gambled on a short-term deal last offseason, and might have positioned himself for a lucrative payday this winter.

After his ERA ballooned to a career-high 5.25 with the Padres and Marlins last season, Cashner agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal with the Texas Rangers in November. The 30-year-old has been limited to 18 starts because of two stints on the disabled list, but has restored some of his value with a 3.36 ERA in those starts.

The timing could not be better, given that the quality of available free agent starters will be wide open once you get past Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta. "Cashner falls into the next tier, and could look awfully shiny to a team in need of starting pitching," writes Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram.

Cashner, a Texas native who pitched collegiately at TCU, would presumably be open to remaining with the Rangers, who will have as many as three vacancies in their rotation, according to Wilson.

Cashner is 38-61 with a 3.36 ERA over eight seasons with the Cubs, Padres, Marlins and Rangers.

-- Doug Mittler