MLB Trade News: Cubs add rotation arm, acquire Edward Cabrera in trade with Marlins

This week, the Chicago Cubs made a major move to bolster their rotation, trading for right-handed starter Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins. The 27-year-old adds some power stuff, multiple years of team control, and increasing experience in the big-leagues to a Cubs team looking to cash in on the competitive season they put together in 2025. This deal sends a message that Chicago is committed to taking care of the pitching depth early in the offseason.

This also re-affirms just how far the Cubs will go to get immediate rotation help at the cost of premium prospect talent. Miami, on the other hand, this trade is a further indication of its efforts to alter its roster again on a more long-term basis, bringing on younger, controllable position players to fit alongside the organization's long-term rebuild.

Trade details and what the Cubs gave up

To get Cabrera, the Cubs sent outfielder Owen Caissie, considered the top prospect in the organization, in addition to infield prospects Cristian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon to the Marlins. With power and an improved understanding of the strike zone, Caissie, 23, has been viewed as a possible middle-of-the-order bat, while Hernandez and De Leon add potential (and depth) at premium defensive positions.


Cabrera just had one of the best seasons of his career, the 3.53 ERA coming in 30 games, with a career-high number of innings, as well. Frail at just 1409 and 188 pounds, he has shown flashes of frontline potential when healthy, highlighted by a high-velocity fastball and devastating changeup. The front office also saw him as an attractive target after some recent turnarounds, including a durability concern that helped him fall in the 2023 draft coupled with significant improvements in his command and pitch efficiency.

How Edward Cabrera fits into the Cubs’ rotation plans

Cabrera fits straight into a Cubs rotation that already includes a pair of established arms alongside some potential arms. As the final piece gives stability behind Shōta Imanaga and Jameson Taillon, it also eases pressure on the bigger arms to carry excessive innings burdens. Even more length to the rotation should come early in the season with Justin Steele returning from elbow surgery; Chicago has one of its deepest rotations in years.

Cabrera obviously would help on the field, but the other thing is that Cabrera would give the Cubs a source of payroll flexibility, given that Cabrera is out of options for arbitration after this winter. That financial flexibility could give the front office room to chase offensive upgrades sometime later in the offseason, especially as Chicago attempts to turn last season's near-miss playoff run into a real playoff run.

Also Read: Chicago Cubs near Edward Cabrera trade as Miami Marlins pitcher emerges as key rotation target: Report


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