Cubs Acquire Pitcher Edward Cabrera in Trade with Marlins
The Chicago Cubs have made a significant move to bolster their pitching rotation, acquiring right-hander Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins in a trade that sent top outfield prospect Owen Caissie and two other hitting prospects to Miami. This move is expected to improve a Cubs rotation that currently includes veterans Matthew Boyd, Jameson Taillon, and Shota Imanaga.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer had previously stated that the organization was “in the market” to acquire pitching help, both in the rotation and in the bullpen. Cabrera’s ability to generate swing-and-miss is an attractive asset to the Cubs, who have been lacking in this area. The team also has starting candidates in Cade Horton, Javier Assad, and eventually Justin Steele, who is recovering from elbow surgery.
Trade Details and Implications
The trade saw the Cubs part with Caissie, recently rated by ESPN as Chicago’s No. 2 organizational prospect and the No. 49 overall prospect in Major League Baseball. Additionally, infield prospects Cristian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon were dealt to the Marlins. This move not only strengthens the Cubs’ pitching but also creates a need for more offense, as the team’s run-scoring projection for 2026 was already relatively tenuous even with Caissie in the outfield mix.
Cabrera, who turns 28 in April, is coming off the best season of his career in 2025, with an 8-7 record, a 3.53 ERA, and career highs of 150 strikeouts over 137 innings. He remains under contractual control for three more seasons before being eligible for free agency after the 2028 season. However, Cabrera has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, including elbow and shoulder issues, although he stayed relatively healthy in 2025.
Prospects and Free Agency
Caissie, 23, debuted in the majors last season, appearing in 12 games with the Cubs and batting.192 with one home run. He had an outstanding performance in 99 games at Triple-A Iowa, batting.286 with 22 homers and a.937 OPS. Hernandez, 22, spent last season at High-A, batting.252 with 52 stolen bases while playing second base and shortstop, and was ranked as Chicago’s 10th-best prospect by ESPN. De Leon, 18, played in the Arizona Complex League last year, hitting.276 while playing mostly corner infield positions.
The Cubs have not made significant moves in the free agent market yet, but they have spoken to the agents of several notable players, including right fielder Kyle Tucker, infielders Bo Bichette and Alex Bregman, and former Cub Cody Bellinger, according to sources familiar with the situation. Starting pitching options available in free agency are typically more expensive, making the acquisition of Cabrera, who is due a raise in 2026 but comes off a base salary of $1.95 million from last season, a strategic move for the Cubs.
As the Cubs look to strengthen their roster for the upcoming season, this trade signifies a commitment to improving their pitching rotation while acknowledging the need to address their offensive capabilities. With Cabrera on board, the Cubs are poised to make a significant impact in the league, and their moves in the free agent market will be closely watched as they aim to balance their roster for a successful season.
