2 frontrunners in Edward Cabrera talks have reportedly dropped out

In the next week, the starting pitching market could start to pick up steam, especially once Tatsuya Imai's landing spot is known. The Japanese right-hander has until Jan. 2 to sign with an MLB team - and once he's off the board, we could see both the free agent and trade markets move quickly.

One of the biggest names rumored to be available via trade is Miami Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera - but the Fish aren't budging on their high asking price and now, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, two of the likeliest landing spots for the 27-year-old are 'no longer involved'.

The Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros, two teams with huge needs in the rotation, have reportedly bowed out - potentially clearing the path for Jed Hoyer and the Chicago Cubs to circle back on Cabrera if they come up short in their pursuit of Imai.

Edward Cabrera makes a ton of sense for the Cubs given their needs

Cabrera is definitely an upside play. He's been solid, but hardly spectacular, in parts of five MLB seasons, carrying a 4.07 ERA, 4.45 FIP and 1.309 WHIP into 2026. He boasts above-average fastball velocity and a strong secondary pitches, but is yet to deliver elite results. But, given the stuff and the fact he's controllable through 2028, the Marlins aren't about to lose value in a trade.

The Cubs' faith in their pitching infrastructure and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy make Cabrera a logical trade target (not to mention the fact Hoyer has refused to play at the top of the free-agent pitching market). With the Orioles and Astros off the board, that's two fewer teams to outbid in trade discussions.

Jackson also reiterated that Miami has no plans of trading former NL Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara, another past Cubs' trade target, saying it would take 'an incredible offer' for the team to even consider moving him. That makes sense because they'd be selling dramatically low on the big righty. If he returns to form in 2026, the Marlins could command a king's ransom for their ace at the trade deadline.