The Chicago Cubs made a significant move by adding right-hander Edward Cabrera to their pitching rotation through a trade with the Miami Marlins. In exchange for Cabrera, the Cubs sent outfielder Owen Caissie and infield prospects Cristian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon to Miami. Cabrera, who had a 3.53 ERA in 26 starts and 137 2/3 innings last season, is a valuable addition to the Cubs’ roster.
Caissie, a 23-year-old player from Burlington, Ont., had a brief major league debut with the Cubs in August. He showed promise by hitting .192 in 12 games at the major league level and impressing with a .286 batting average, 22 homers, and 55 RBIs in triple-A Iowa last season. Cabrera, who is eligible for salary arbitration, is under contract until after the 2028 season, providing long-term pitching depth for the Cubs.
With Cabrera joining a talented rotation that includes Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Cade Horton, and Jameson Taillon, the Cubs are poised to build on their successful 2025 season. Cabrera, at 28 years old, brings experience and skill to the team, having accumulated a 25-29 record and a 4.07 ERA in his career with Miami.
Despite some injury concerns, including recurring blisters and a right elbow sprain, Cabrera has shown resilience on the mound. Meanwhile, Caissie was expected to compete for playing time in right field, with the departure of Kyle Tucker looming in free agency for the Cubs.
On the other side of the trade, the Marlins, led by manager Clayton McCullough, are looking to improve on their 79-83 record from the previous season. Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez are key figures in the Marlins’ rotation. Hernandez and De Leon, the prospects acquired in the trade, have shown promise in their respective minor league performances, adding depth to the Marlins’ farm system.