Cubs Rumors: Edward Cabrera talk gains steam again as deadline nears

Of all the rumored trade targets for the Chicago Cubs ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline, Edward Cabrera likely will cost the most. Cabrera has all but taken the "Marlins ace" label away from Sandy Alcantara this season, and the 2026 season will be his first arbitration-eligible season. Cabrera wouldn't move the needle on the Cubs' 2025 season; he would give them a frontline starting pitcher until 2029.

Indications remain that the Marlins not only have made Cabrera available ahead of the deadline, but there is an expectation that the 27-year-old could be moved. The latest intel on a Cabrera trade comes from international prospect insider Francys Romero, who mentions the Cubs among the most interested teams in the Marlins' starting pitcher.

Edward Cabrera trade chatter suddenly back in play

Again, to make the point clear, it would be a costly move for the Cubs in terms of prospects. Owen Caissie would certainly be in a potential trade, and there's a good assumption that Moises Ballesteros would also be a part of that package before the prospect stakes lower to organizational top 20 players. The Marlins would likely also want a Major League-ready pitcher, and that could draw a circle around Ben Brown's name.

A steep price, but adding a pitcher like Cabrera may be worth it. On the season, Cabrera sports a 3.33 ERA with a fastball that sits in the high 90s. Cabrera has improved his command this season, which speaks to the reason why 2025 has been a breakout for a pitcher who has always featured a swing-and-miss stuff. Cabrera is walking just over 9 percent of the batters he has faced this season, a stark improvement over his career mark of 12.5 percent.

When it comes to Cabrera's availability, it will be a true test for Jed Hoyer's front office. It would mean Hoyer reaching a level of trading prospects that he has only done once in his time in charge of the Cubs' front office, and that was the Kyle Tucker trade. Even then, Hoyer was trading for one season of Tucker. That won't be the case for Cabrera, and that is why the price will be even higher.

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