In a significant off-season move, the Chicago Cubs have acquired pitcher Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins. The trade involved sending outfielder Owen Caissie and infield prospects Cristian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon to Miami. This transaction marks the Cubs’ first major change of the off-season.
Cubs Trade Overview
Edward Cabrera, a right-hander, finished last season with a record of 8-7. He had a 3.53 earned-run average (ERA) over a career-high 26 starts, totaling 137⅔ innings pitched. Cabrera, who is 28 years old and will celebrate his birthday in April, has been a promising addition to the Cubs’ roster.
Profile of Owen Caissie
- Name: Owen Caissie
- Age: 23
- Hometown: Burlington, Ontario
- Major League Debut: August 2023
- 2023 Stats: .192 batting average in 12 games with the Cubs
- Triple-A Stats: .286 batting average, 22 home runs, 55 RBIs
Caissie was a second-round pick in the 2020 amateur draft and is expected to compete for a starting position in Miami.
Cabrera’s Career Performance
Cabrera made his major league debut in 2021 and has a career record of 25-29 with a 4.07 ERA over 87 starts and two relief appearances. Despite some injury concerns, including blisters on his right middle finger and an elbow sprain last September, his performance remains strong. In his last start of the 2023 season, he pitched five shutout innings against the New York Mets.
Cubs’ Rotation Strengthened
The addition of Cabrera enhances the Cubs’ rotation, which already includes notable pitchers such as:
- Matthew Boyd
- Shota Imanaga
- Cade Horton
- Jameson Taillon
Additionally, Colin Rea and Javier Assad are viable starting options, while Justin Steele is recovering from elbow surgery.
Marlins’ Performance
The Miami Marlins, under manager Clayton McCullough, showed a 17-game improvement last season. They finished with a 79-83 record. Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez are key figures in their pitching rotation, aiming to contribute to the team’s success.
Prospect Statistics
| Player | Age | Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Hernandez | 22 | .252 AVG, 7 HR, 53 RBI (High A) |
| Edgardo De Leon | 18 | .276 AVG, 5 HR, 15 RBI (Arizona Complex League) |
This trade reflects the Cubs’ strategy to solidify their rotation while providing the Marlins with promising prospects. As both teams prepare for the upcoming season, the impact of this trade will be closely monitored by fans and analysts alike.
