In a winter filled with major moves from contenders like the Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays, the Chicago Cubs have taken a more measured approach. After a successful 2025 season, where they won 92 games, the Cubs made headlines with a significant trade for starting pitcher Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins.

Trade Details

The Cubs finalized the deal on Wednesday, sending outfield prospect Owen Caissie, infielder Cristian Hernández, and third baseman Edgardo De Leon to Miami in exchange for Cabrera.

Cabrera’s Career Year

At 27 years old, Cabrera enjoyed the best season of his career in 2025, posting a 3.53 ERA over a career-high 137 2/3 innings. While he still faced challenges, Cabrera made significant improvements, particularly in his control, reducing his walk rate to 8.3% from a previous low of 11.3%.

Pitching Adjustments

His success stemmed from a notable change in his pitch mix. Cabrera decreased his reliance on his four-seam fastball, which had been prone to hard contact, and instead emphasized his breaking balls and a sinker. This adjustment allowed him to get ahead of batters more consistently, even if the sinker was not as effective as hoped.

Health Concerns

Despite his impressive performance, Cabrera’s health remains a concern. He has struggled with injuries throughout his career, including elbow issues that sidelined him at times in 2025. Although he returned to pitch effectively down the stretch, Cabrera has never exceeded 26 games in a season since his MLB debut in 2022, nor has he thrown more than 150 innings in a season, including minor-league starts, since 2019.

Future Outlook

This acquisition carries both risk and potential reward for the Cubs. Cabrera is arbitration-eligible through the 2028 season and won’t reach free agency until 2029, providing the team with significant control over his contract.

Rotation Dynamics

With Cabrera joining the rotation, the Cubs have bolstered their pitching staff alongside returning starter Shota Imanaga, 2025 All-Star Matthew Boyd, promising young arm Cade Horton, and veteran Jameson Taillon. This rotation is expected to hold up until Justin Steele returns from Tommy John surgery.

Looking Ahead

While the Cubs’ rotation appears solid, the team is now focusing on strengthening its lineup to fill the void left by Kyle Tucker. With a talented offense in place, a strategic addition could elevate the Cubs from being a competitive team to a serious World Series contender.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.