Edward

Cabrera

The Cubs weren’t going to fight it out with their newly acquired right-hander, so he’ll get a $2.5 million raise in his second of four arbitration seasons. Cabrera had a 3.53 ERA in 26 starts for the Marlins last season.

Cabrera, who has three years left before free agency, looked like he turned the corner after making mechanical adjustments last season, though he did miss time down the stretch with another arm issue. The 27-year-old’s 144 2/3 innings (including two rehab starts) were easily a career high in his nine seasons in the Marlins organization. The Cubs are hoping he’s the kind of pitcher who gets healthier with age, but we’ll see. He’d seem to finish off a rotation that will also include Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Jameson Taillon and Cade Horton, with Justin Steele expected back in June or July. Colin Rea is now due to open up in middle relief, though that was also the case at this time last year (he went on to make 27 starts). Caissie’s departure leaves Moisés Ballesteros as the now obvious Kyle Tucker replacement, with Seiya Suzuki shifting from DH to right field, but it also could make it more likely that they’ll add a bat.

Cabrera’s name has been floated in trade rumors for a while now, and it seemed like something was close between the Marlins and Yankees; however, the 27-year-old, who has three more years of team control, will apparently be traded to the Cubs instead, as long as everybody passes their physical. Cabrera re-invented himself a bit last season, swapping out his four-seam fastball for a sinker that he could command much better. That led to a 3.53 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 150/48 K/BB ratio over 137 2/3 innings in 26 starts. There’s a possibility that the Cubs could get even more out of him, but he will immediately slot in as the third or fourth starting pitcher behind Shota Imanaga, Cade Horton, and Matthew Boyd. The Cubs should also get Justin Steele (elbow) back at some point before the summer, which will make this rotation even deeper.

Mish also noted that the Yankees are still working with the Marlins on a deal for Cabrera as well, so nothing is imminent. The 27-year-old had a strong season last year, posting a 3.53 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, and a 150/48 K/BB ratio over 137 2/3 innings in 26 starts. A big reason for his success was changing from primarily using a four-seam fastball, which he couldn’t command, to a sinker, which he could locate much better. There are some injury concerns with Cabrera, but his new pitch mix and strikeout upside position him as a potential top-of-the-rotation starter. Multiple reports have the Cubs sending OF prospect Owen Caissie to Miami as part of the deal, but nothing has been finalized.

Rosenthal specifies that the “Mets are interested in both rentals and pitchers with club control.” That means pitchers like Tarik Skubal, Freddy Peralta, MacKenzie Gore, Edward Cabrera, Kris Bubic, and more could all be of interest. The Mets have plenty of prospects to make a deal work, and Rosenthal also reports that “they are also open to dealing infielders Mark Vientos, Ronny Mauricio, and Luisangel Acuña.” This is a situation to monitor, but nothing appears close right now.

The two sides have already spoken about a potential deal, though it’s unclear how much traction has been gained. Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has been adamant that he would like to add another starter to his rotation this winter and snagging Cabrera from the Marlins would be an outstanding way to accomplish that goal. Cabrera posted a 3.53 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and a 150/48 K/BB ratio over 137 2/3 innings in 26 starts for the Marlins in 2025.

Both teams have acquired starters (Mike Burrows in Houston, Shane Baz in Baltimore) since engaging the Marlins prior to the winter meetings. Miami is still open to parting with Cabrera, but no one has been willing to meet the team’s demands just yet. The Marlins are planning on holding on to Sandy Alcantara, according to Jackson.

Cabrera was a popular name at the trade deadline but wound up staying in Miami this past season, finishing with a 3.53 ERA (3.83 FIP) and 25.8 percent strikeout rate across 137 2/3 innings over 26 starts. The 27-year-old’s durability concerns figure to tamp down any potential return for the Marlins, but he makes plenty of sense as a trade target for teams unwilling to meet the astronomical prices for starters in free agency since he’s under club control for three more seasons. The Orioles are one of those clubs since they are looking to bolster their rotation behind Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers — especially after jettisoning former top prospect Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels a few weeks ago — while using their financial flexibility in free agency to pursue offensive upgrades.

Cabrera has flashed immense upside, especially after switching his primary fastball to a sinker, so the Marlins “want premium prospects” back in a trade for him. However, Cabrera has never thrown over 138 MLB innings in a season and has not established a long track record of success. Still, he’s under contract for three more years “at arbitration prices,” so some team may decide to pull the trigger and bet on his upside despite the red flags.

The 27-year-old right-hander scattered two hits and five walks on the afternoon. The biggest scoring threat against him came in the fifth inning as Cabrera walked the bases loaded before striking out Pete Alonso to escape trouble. Cabrera got 12 swings and misses on 83 pitches on the afternoon, registering a CSW of 29 percent. He finishes his 2025 season with an 8-7 record, 3.53 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and a 150/48 K/BB ratio over 137 2/3 innings in 26 starts.