Former Marlins pitchers Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers impressed in their debuts, raising early questions about Miami’s offseason trades.
The Miami Marlins spent the offseason reshaping their roster, betting that subtracting from their pitching depth would ultimately strengthen the organization long term. But just days into the 2026 season, those decisions are already being tested in a very public way.
Former Marlins starters Edward Cabrera and Ryan Weathers made their debuts with new teams on Monday, and both delivered the kind of performances that quickly shifted perceptions about those trades.
Cabrera, now with the Chicago Cubs, looked dominant in his first outing at Wrigley Field. The right-hander carved through the Los Angeles Angels lineup, recording six scoreless innings and retiring 18 of the 19 batters he faced. It was the type of efficient, overpowering start that had long made him one of the most promising arms in Miami’s system.
Meanwhile, Weathers, pitching for the New York Yankees, also impressed, despite a shorter outing. Facing a strong Seattle Mariners lineup, the left-hander struck out seven batters over 4.1 innings. The only run he allowed came on a broken-bat blooper, a reminder that his performance was even better than the box score might suggest.
These outings stood in sharp contrast to what the Marlins saw the same night. Veteran Chris Paddack, signed to help stabilize the rotation after those trades, delivered a mixed debut. After two strong innings, the right-hander's night unraveled quickly, highlighted by home runs from Austin Hays and Miguel Vargas that put the game out of reach for the Marlins.
It is far too early to draw sweeping conclusions, but the optics are difficult to ignore. Two pitchers the Marlins moved on from immediately thriving elsewhere, while their replacement struggled, creating an uncomfortable narrative.
Miami did not make these trades in a vacuum. The organization prioritized offensive upside, acquiring players like Owen Caissie, who has already made an impact with a strong start that includes a walk-off home run and elite early production.
If Caissie and the rest of the incoming talent can provide consistent offensive value, the Marlins may still come out ahead. But performances like Cabrera’s and Weathers’ debuts serve as an early reminder of the risk involved.
And with Weathers scheduled to face his former team at Yankee Stadium later this week, the storyline is only getting more compelling.
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