Skip to content

Report: Padres agree to 1-year, $1.75M deal with Cahill

Anthony Gruppuso / USA TODAY Sports

The San Diego Padres have reportedly added yet another veteran arm to their rotation, agreeing to a one-year, $1.75-million contract with right-hander Trevor Cahill, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

The deal will be completed once Cahill takes his physical with the Padres, which will happen after he visits the White House with his former team, the World Series champion Chicago Cubs, on Monday, reports ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.

Cahill is the third veteran free-agent starter to join the Padres this winter, as the rebuilding club tries to inject experience into a young rotation. Southpaw Clayton Richard and right-hander Jhoulys Chacin also joined the club on one-year deals earlier in the offseason.

Cahill has made just four starts in the last two years and spent 2016 as a middle reliever with the Cubs. The 28-year-old reportedly had offers from four other teams - including a pair of contenders in the Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers - but his apparent desire to return to the rotation led to the Padres winning his services, per Nightengale.

Cahill's best season as a starter came in 2010 with the Oakland Athletics when he posted a 2.97 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 118 strikeouts over 30 starts en route to his only All-Star appearance and a ninth-place finish in AL Cy Young voting. He was never able to replicate that success as a starter, however, and was eventually moved to the bullpen amid growing struggles.

After joining the Cubs as a free agent in August 2015, Cahill emerged as a valued reliever for manager Joe Maddon. In 2016, Cahill appeared in 49 games as a reliever (along with one spot start) and posted a 2.74 ERA and 1.28 WHIP while striking out 66 batters; he did not pitch in the postseason.

In 262 career appearances and 174 starts with the Cubs, Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Atlanta Braves, Cahill owns a 4.05 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 820 strikeouts to 462 walks.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox