The Chicago Cubs bolstered their starting rotation by acquiring pitcher Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins in a trade announced on Wednesday, marking their first significant move of the off-season. Cabrera, a right-hander, had a solid performance last season with an 8-7 record and a 3.53 earned-run average in 26 starts and 137 2/3 innings.
In exchange for Cabrera, the Cubs sent outfielder Owen Caissie along with infield prospects Cristian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon to Miami. Caissie, a 23-year-old player from Burlington, Ont., made his major league debut with the Cubs in August. He showcased his potential by hitting .192 in 12 games at the major league level and impressively batting .286 with 22 home runs and 55 RBIs for triple-A Iowa last season.
Cabrera, who is set for salary arbitration, is under contract until after the 2028 season. The Cubs, who finished second in the National League Central with a 92-70 record last year, made a playoff appearance for the first time since 2020 but were eliminated by the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Division Series.
Joining a talented Cubs rotation that includes pitchers like Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, Cade Horton, and Jameson Taillon, Cabrera, who will turn 28 in April, brings his experience from Miami where he achieved a 25-29 record with a 4.07 ERA in 87 starts and two relief outings.
Despite some injury concerns, including recurring blisters on his right middle finger and a right elbow sprain that led to a brief stint on the injured list, Cabrera ended his 2025 season on a high note with an impressive performance against the New York Mets.
While Cabrera’s arrival strengthens the Cubs’ pitching staff, Caissie was anticipated to compete for playing time in right field, especially with the potential departure of Kyle Tucker in free agency. Miami, under new manager Clayton McCullough, showed improvement last season with a 79-83 record, led by pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez.
Additionally, Hernandez, 22, had a solid season batting .252 with seven home runs and 53 RBIs for High A South Bend, while De Leon, 18, performed well in the Arizona Complex League for the Cubs in 2025, hitting .276 with five home runs and 15 RBIs in 43 games.