Cashner wants to sign with team that lets him keep beard

When it comes to signing his next contract this winter, impending free agent Andrew Cashner will let his beard to the talking.

The right-hander was forced to adhere to the Marlins no-facial hair policy when he was traded from San Diego to Miami at the non-waiver trade deadline, and called the loss of his beard "one of the saddest days he's ever had."

Cashner is set to hit the open market at the conclusion of the season and is serious when he says his next destination will likely be a place that will allow him to keep his beard.

"I still hate (it)," Cashner told Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald of the Marlins policy. "That is a big deal to me in free agency."

The Marlins introduced the no-facial-hair policy this season when manager Don Mattingly took over. At the time, the skipper acknowledged that he knew many players wouldn't be happy with the decision but decided to move forward regardless.

While Cashner might be limiting his potential destination to a beard-friendly environment, his performance on the mound may play more of a role in deciding his next contract. The 29-year-old is 5-11 this season with a 4.77 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 117 innings this season.