The trickle down effect

The trickle-down effect has begun. Or so we hope.

Just about a week after the Cubs brought in Yu Darvish, we saw two free-agent hurlers put their name to paper on Thursday with Andrew Cashner signing with the Orioles and Jaime Garcia joining the Blue Jays, respectively.

Cashner gets the multi-year deal, signing with Baltimore for a reported two-year, $17 million contract that contains a vesting option if he throws 340 innings in 2018-19. If he’s able to reach 360 innings, that vesting option turns into a player option. Garcia, meanwhile, gets $8 million in 2018 with a $10 million team option that includes a $2 million buyout, with escalators that could pay him another $2 million up to reaching 180 innings pitched.

While both pitchers make their clubs better, it’s tough to get too excited about their future fantasy prospects. Cashner doesn’t miss bats at all, and relies on quality defenses for success. He also isn’t immune to putting hitters on via walk, and his FIP of 4.63 was substantially over his ERA of 3.40, which suggests there was quite a bit of luck in his 2017 campaign. He could be a pitcher you target in specific DFS matchups, but in terms of redraft leagues and dynasty options, you can do better.

Garcia offers a little more upside because he will miss more bats -- 127 strikeouts for Garcia, 64 for Cashner -- but that’s faint praise. He’s also a pitcher who relies on command and defenders making plays behind him, and the command isn’t good enough to call it a strength for the 31-year-old southpaw. He showed flashes of brilliance in 2017, but consistency wasn’t his friend, and it hasn’t been since his impressive rookie campaign back in 2010.

Neither Cashner or Garcia will go high in fantasy drafts -- nor should they -- but they should help eat innings for their clubs, and perhaps more importantly, they could help clear the muck out of the market for options like Lance Lynn, Alex Cobb and Jake Arrieta.

Nunez back with the Sox

In addition to seeing Cashner and Garcia leave the market, we saw one of the better bats pick his new club, too.

The Red Sox are reportedly signing Eduardo Nunez to a one-year deal, pending Nunez passing a physical. There is also reportedly a club option for 2019, but the financial terms haven’t been released as of yet.

Somewhat quietly, Nunez has been one of the better utility players in baseball the last few years, and while utility sometimes has a negative connotation, in this case it’s more speaking to his flexibility. The 30-year-old infielder/outfielder has played six positions over the last three years, and he’s slashed .296/.332/.443 with 32 homers and 72 stolen bases during that time frame.

This is a move that certainly helps the Red Sox in 2018. How much it helps Nunez in terms of his fantasy status is a different -- and more complicated -- question. Reports are that he’ll be able to play second base until Dustin Pedroia returns from injury, which is expected to be around late May or early June. After that, he likely moves to a role that allows him to play all over the field.

Just how much he plays is the question. The Red Sox have Rafael Devers, Xander Bogaerts and Dustin Pedroia in the infield spots that he’s a realistic option, along with Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi in the corner outfield spots. The Red Sox could give Pedroia more days off and some games at designated hitter to keep him healthy and get Nunez into the lineup, but that’s not a lock. You would expect Alex Cora to find a way to get his speed and ability to hit for average in the lineup as much as often, but it’s not a guarantee, and that adds more risk to Nunez’s profile than you might have anticipated.

Quick hits: The Brewers signed LHP Wade Miley to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training … Reds prospect Nick Senzel has worked out at both second base and shortstop at the Reds' spring training complex … Twins RHP Phil Hughes (shoulder) said he has no restrictions leading into spring training this year … Pirates GM Neal Huntington told reporters that Jordan Luplow, Sean Rodriguez, and Adam Frazier are all battling for the open starting outfield spot … Angels owner Arte Moreno said he's open to the possibility of a contract extension for Mike Trout, though there haven't been any discussions to date … Free agent Tim Lincecum held his throwing session for scouts Thursday, and sources told FanRag's Jon Heyman that he was throwing 90-93 mph … Brewers manager Craig Counsell indicated Thursday that Stephen Vogt isn't necessarily assured a place on the team … Brewers signed INF/OF Nick Franklin to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.