Could the Cubs land Edward Cabrera? We analyze potential trade packages, including top prospects, to acquire the Marlins' ace pitcher.
The Chicago Cubs continue to do their due diligence on several players this offseason.
Over the past week, the Cubs have been linked to Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, and Cody Bellinger in free agency. With the North Siders needing another impactful bat in their lineup, it’s not surprising to see them interested in so many of the top remaining bats on the open market.
Another name has also popped up in connection with the Cubs. This time, it’s a pitcher in the trade market.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Chicago is reportedly interested in trading for Miami Marlins pitcher Edward Cabrera. Although the New York Yankees appear to be in deeper talks with the Marlins for Cabrera, the Cubs being mentioned here is significant.
After failing to sign Tatsuya Imai in free agency, it appears the Cubs are now pivoting to the trade market. The front office was interested in trading for Cabrera at the 2025 Trade Deadline, but the Marlins' asking price was a bit too high.
But those trade talks have likely picked up since the Cubs missed out on Imai. The team still needs a frontline starting pitcher, and Cabrera would be the perfect answer for Chicago. He showed last year that he can be a reliable arm in any rotation.
So, what could a deal look like between the Cubs and the Marlins involving Cabrera?
We’ll use two different sources to identify who the Cubs might have to give up in any deal involving Cabrera.
Our first source comes from Eric Hubbs of Barstool Sports. He reported that the Yankees could include No. 6 prospect Ben Hess and No. 16 prospect Dillon Lewis in any deal for Cabrera. FanSided insider Robert Murray actually gave Hubbs his flowers for accurately reporting that in an episode of the Baseball Insiders Podcast.
Our second source comes from Baseball Trade Values. This site does a great job of comparing players’ trade values. With Cabrera having a 27.6 value in their model, we can identify who the Cubs need to give up for the right-hander.
Even though the Yankees are only said to be giving up their No. 6 and No. 16 prospect, it likely would cost the Cubs a lot more to acquire Cabrera. Both Hess and Lewis have a ton of potential, and both are rising stars in New York’s farm system.
For the Cubs, giving up No. 3 prospect Jaxon Wiggins and No. 5 prospect Kevin Alcantara could complete the deal. Both Wiggins' (21.3) and Alcantara’s (7.3) trade values in that model basically equal Cabrera’s trade value (28.6).
The Marlins would essentially get two ready-now players who have plenty of potential, and the Cubs would get a top-of-the-line starting pitcher who still has three years of control remaining. Cabrera isn’t a free agent until after the 2028 season.
However, it all depends on whether the Cubs would actually deal Wiggins in any trade for Cabrera. The team’s top pitching prospect is set to contribute to the Major League club at some point in 2026 and projects to be a dominant rotation arm.