In a surprising turn of events, the Miami Marlins have officially traded pitcher Edward Cabrera after months of speculation. Cabrera has joined the Chicago Cubs in a deal that brings back a significant trio of prospects, most notably Owen Caissie, who is positioned to make a considerable impact in the Marlins’ outfield this season. While this trade enhances Miami's batting lineup, it raises questions about the strength of their pitching rotation. Thankfully, the Marlins are among the few teams with sufficient depth in their starting rotation to absorb the loss of Cabrera without too much disruption.
The current rotation is expected to feature Sandy Alcantara, Eury Perez, Ryan Weathers, Max Meyer, and Braxton Garrett as the primary starters. Janson Junk will likely serve as the primary depth option, ready to step in if necessary. Moreover, Adam Mazur and Ryan Gusto come in with some major league experience, while Dax Fulton is on the brink of making his MLB debut. Additionally, top prospects Thomas White and Robby Snelling are also anticipated to break into the big leagues before the conclusion of the 2026 season.
However, it's worth noting that this group has a history of injuries and lacks extensive proven performance, leading to valid concerns that the Marlins might need to strengthen their starting options. Kevin Barral from Fish On First has reported that there are discussions within the organization regarding the acquisition of a seasoned veteran pitcher to bring more stability to their rotation. Conversely, Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon from The Athletic mention that the Marlins remain open to trading from their existing rotation if they receive an appealing offer.
While this doesn’t guarantee any imminent trades, it illustrates that Peter Bendix, the president of baseball operations, is willing to entertain various offers. Notably, it seems unlikely that Alcantara, the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner, will be moved, as the team has shown little inclination to part with him throughout the offseason.
Should the Marlins decide to trade one of their younger pitchers for another established young hitter, it could become a feasible scenario, especially if they pursue a veteran arm to create space within their rotation. Such a veteran would not necessarily demand a hefty contract; for example, last winter the Marlins signed Cal Quantrill to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million. However, the hope is that the next signing would yield better results than Quantrill's 5.50 ERA across 109.2 innings before he was waived and subsequently claimed by the Braves.
As expected, Bendix was tight-lipped during recent interactions with the press, including reporters from MLB.com like Christina De Nicola and Jessica Camerato. He did acknowledge the importance of having ample pitching options, but he expressed confidence in the internal candidates available for what promises to be a competitive rotation battle in Spring Training. Individuals such as White or Snelling could very well earn their spots in the main roster.
"At this point, I don’t have a clear picture of who our starting five will be as we kick off the season," Bendix remarked. "There’s a lot of opportunity and competition ahead, with many players poised to step up and secure a spot. We’re keeping all possibilities open at this stage."
What do you think about the Marlins' strategy? Is the trade a smart move for their future, or should they have held onto Cabrera? Share your thoughts in the comments!
