Breaking: Cubs closing in on Edward Cabrera trade
I can confirm the Chicago Cubs are finalizing a trade for Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera. Final details are being sorted, and both sides are motivated to complete it quickly. The expected return to Miami is headlined by outfield prospect Owen Caissie. This is a major swing by Chicago for a power arm with upside and control. ⚾
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This trade is not yet official. Final approvals and medical reviews are pending.
Why Cabrera, why now
Cabrera just put together his best season. He made 26 starts in 2025, threw 137.2 innings, and struck out 150. He posted a 3.53 ERA and a 1.228 WHIP. His strikeout rate climbed to 25.8 percent. Most important, the walks came down to about 3.1 per nine. That was the unlock.
He is 27, he is affordable, and he is controllable through 2028. That combination is gold in this market. Teams want ceiling, but they also want years. The Cubs are paying for both.
Cabrera is under team control through 2028, with a 2026 arbitration estimate near 3.7 million dollars.
The pitch mix and the fit at Wrigley
Cabrera lives with a mid to upper 90s fastball. The changeup is the star, with late dive and real swing and miss. He pairs it with a hard slider and a curve to steal strikes. When he repeats his delivery, hitters guess. When he scatters, he grinds. In 2025, the scatter faded.
Wrigley Field asks pitchers to adjust by day. Some days the wind knocks balls down. Other days it turns fly balls into trouble. Cabrera’s changeup and two-seam movement cut lift. That plays on the tough days. The key will be attacking the zone early, then expanding late. His 2025 plan can travel.
Wrigley can play small on hot days. Lean on the changeup and two-seam to kill lift.
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The Cubs’ bet, and the rotation picture
This is a bet on a leap becoming the norm. Chicago believes Cabrera’s command gains are real. They see a top three starter who is entering his prime. Slot him with Justin Steele and Shota Imanaga, and the front of the rotation gets punch and balance. It also stretches the staff, which eases stress on the bullpen.
The cost is real. Owen Caissie is a big league bat in waiting, with size, power, and on-base skills. He fits right field, he fits the middle of an order, and he is 23. Moving a hitter like that means the Cubs are choosing pitching now over potential offense later. That matches a club that expects to play deep into October.
Here is why the deal tracks for Chicago:
- Strikeouts without chaos, thanks to improved control
- Years of value at a steady cost
- A power arm that plays in cold Aprils and windy Junes
- Rotation depth that wins long seasons
What Miami gets and why it makes sense
The Marlins have shopped from a position of strength. They develop arms, then move one for bats when the time is right. Caissie would give Miami a young, controllable middle-order piece. That aligns with their need to lengthen the lineup. It also resets the payroll curve while keeping the pitching pipeline intact.
For Cabrera, a fresh stage could sharpen the edge. New voice, new plan, same electric stuff. For Miami, an everyday corner outfielder changes the shape of their lineup. The trade helps both teams live their timelines.
The market reality and the price of innings
The Cubs were not alone here. The Yankees, Mets, and Giants were in the talks at various points. The Yankees, hit by rotation injuries, were especially aggressive late. That pressure helped set the price. In a winter thin on free agent aces, controllable starters are the currency that moves plans forward.
Front offices pay a premium for certainty. Cabrera does not offer full certainty yet, but he offers years to figure it out. He also offers outs now, and that is rare at his age and cost. That is why Chicago pushed, and why Miami held firm until a headline name was on the table.
What comes next
Paperwork, physicals, and final sign off are underway. The moment it clears, the Cubs will have a new weapon. Expect a quick plan to build his spring routine with their pitching group. Look for early work on first pitch strikes and fastball elevation. If the command holds, the upside is a 180-strikeout season with October teeth.
Conclusion
The Cubs are closing on Edward Cabrera, and it is a statement move. They are buying strikeouts, youth, and four seasons of control. They are spending a prized bat to do it. That is how contenders act when windows open. If Cabrera’s 2025 gains stick, this can tilt the Central and reshape the National League race.
