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3Bplay · 01-13-2026, 04:33 PM

CUBS, MARLINS AGREE TO TRADE
Cubs add 2025 breakout arm to their rotation

By MLB.com staff
02/21/2026

With Justin Steele (elbow) already on the 60-day injured list; and lefty Matthew Boyd now heading to the injured list with what has been termed a shoulder injury, putting his probable Opening Day start in doubt, the Cubs have swung a trade for Miami right-hander Edward Cabrera for outfielder Owen Caissie, along with infielders Cristian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon. The two teams have officially announced the deal, likely meaning that all parties involved have cleared a physical and are ready to go for the spring.

Cabrera, entering his age-28 season in April, is a former Top-100 prospect who has shown flashes in past year, but couldn't stay on the mound enough to deliver on that promise until this season. Though he still logged some brief time on the injured list this past season, he turned in a career-high 153 innings (twenty-nine starts) with a strong 3.71 ERA and encouraging underlying numbers.

Cabrera punched out just over 25% of opponents while logging a career-low 8.3% walk rate; a far better rate than the 13.3% clip he carried into the season. Even better, he recorded a 49% ground-ball rate and kept his heater at a consistent 97-98 MPH, while his sinker averaged 96.4 MPH in 2025.

His short IL stint was due to elbow soreness late in the season, which caused some worry on the Marlins' side, but upon his return in August he picked up where he left off velocity-wise, still hitting the upper 90's with his fastball and sinker. He also throws three other pitches with a slider, changeup, and curveball amongst his offerings.

01-13-2026, 04:33 PM	#46
3Bplay Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 336	MLB News (02/21) CUBS, MARLINS AGREE TO TRADE Cubs add 2025 breakout arm to their rotation By MLB.com staff 02/21/2026 With Justin Steele (elbow) already on the 60-day injured list; and lefty Matthew Boyd now heading to the injured list with what has been termed a shoulder injury, putting his probable Opening Day start in doubt, the Cubs have swung a trade for Miami right-hander Edward Cabrera for outfielder Owen Caissie, along with infielders Cristian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon. The two teams have officially announced the deal, likely meaning that all parties involved have cleared a physical and are ready to go for the spring. Cabrera, entering his age-28 season in April, is a former Top-100 prospect who has shown flashes in past year, but couldn't stay on the mound enough to deliver on that promise until this season. Though he still logged some brief time on the injured list this past season, he turned in a career-high 153 innings (twenty-nine starts) with a strong 3.71 ERA and encouraging underlying numbers. Cabrera punched out just over 25% of opponents while logging a career-low 8.3% walk rate; a far better rate than the 13.3% clip he carried into the season. Even better, he recorded a 49% ground-ball rate and kept his heater at a consistent 97-98 MPH, while his sinker averaged 96.4 MPH in 2025. His short IL stint was due to elbow soreness late in the season, which caused some worry on the Marlins' side, but upon his return in August he picked up where he left off velocity-wise, still hitting the upper 90's with his fastball and sinker. He also throws three other pitches with a slider, changeup, and curveball amongst his offerings.