Orioles may commit a Winter Meetings heist of coveted Cubs' trade target

Edward Cabrera has been a popular trade target for the Chicago Cubs dating back to the MLB trade deadline, and as the second day of the Winter Meetings wraps up, it seems that the Miami Marlins are making progress on a trade of the 27-year-old starting pitcher. The only problem is that trade may not be with the Cubs.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon (subscription required) report that the Marlins "are progressing in their efforts to trade Cabrera" and singled out the Baltimore Orioles as the potential trade partner.

The Athletic duo confirmed that other teams remain in the mix, and due to Miami's high asking price, there remains some doubt over whether or not Cabrera will actually be moved.

Cubs may be forced to act quickly if they want to land Edward Cabrera from the Miami Marlins.

Considering the Cubs have yet to check the box of adding a top-of-rotation arm, and there were earlier whispers that they could be close to making a trade of their own, it would be fair to assume that they are still one of the teams involved in the process.

During the 2025 season, Cabrera flashed signs of coming into his own as a top-of-the-rotation starter. The key was improving his command while still striking out over 25% of the hitters he faced. There still is some work to do in terms of limiting his hard-hit frequency, but Jed Hoyer and Co. likely have identified a development plan to take him to the next level.

Expected to earn $3.1 million next season while being under control for three more seasons, Cabrera is certainly going to be a costly trade addition for the Orioles, Cubs, or any team that does make the deal.

The hope for the Cubs is that while still high, the current asking price of the Marlins isn't what it was at the deadline. Logically, it shouldn't be, considering Cabrera would be arriving with one half of a season less of control. The Marlins were believed to be asking for a group of players from the Matt Shaw, Cade Horton, and Owen Caissie tier.

As it stands now, Horton is probably the only one in that group who is truly untouchable. Any deal with the Marlins would almost certainly have to include Caissie or Shaw. Last offseason, Caissie was nearly dealt to Miami in exchange for Jesús Luzardo. That reality is only heightened by the fact that the Orioles could currently be the top bidder.

If Cabrera is taken off the market, that would point the Cubs in the direction of Tatsuya Imai or Washington Nationals' MacKenzie Gore in terms of pitchers that could be added and sit at the top of their rotation without lingering questions.