In the wake of the Cubs acquiring right-hander Edward Cabrera from the Marlins, we asked a trio of our reporters to weigh in on what this means for these clubs and the offseason market.
1. What does this trade mean for the other pitchers supposedly on the trade block, such as MacKenzie Gore and Freddy Peralta. Does it make them more or less likely to be dealt?
Cabrera’s price tag is interesting in that he brought back the Cubs’ No. 1 and 11 prospects (in addition to a third player), but he’s under club control for three more seasons, which likely boosted his price. He’s not as good as Gore, who has two years of arbitration-eligibility remaining, while Gore isn’t as good as Peralta, who is under control for only one more season.
That said, with Cabrera headed to the Cubs, that takes away one of the trade options out there. For teams not willing to spend big on free agents such as Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez or Zac Gallen, the trade market is the only avenue available to improve a rotation. I expected Gore and Peralta to be traded before this deal, so there’s no reason to think otherwise now. – Mark Feinsand, national reporter
2. Is this a case of “our offseason work is done,” or should we see this as a precursor to bigger moves for the Cubs?
More could be coming, for sure. If the Cubs were going to target an impact bat and add to the rotation, this was a great way to make that more realistic. By landing a pitcher still in his arbitration years (Cabrera is under control through 2028), the Cubs may have solved their need for an impact arm without breaking the bank in free agency.
The savings on that front could allow Chicago’s front office to be a little more aggressive in pursuing a bat. The Cubs have been linked to Alex Bregman two offseasons in a row now, and recent reports have them at least keeping tabs on the market for Bo Bichette. Now, Chicago could, in theory, add to the position-player group without going over the first Competitive Balance Tax threshold ($244 million). – Jordan Bastian, Cubs reporter
3. There are still a number of high-profile pitching free agents unsigned, such as Valdez, Gallen and Suárez; will the market for them pick up now that Cabrera has been moved, and who are their likeliest suitors?
I’m not sure the Cabrera deal has much of an impact on those three free agents, as the Cubs weren’t seemingly in the market to spend big on a starter. Gallen’s name had been connected to Chicago throughout the winter, but the teams that are willing to spend on a free-agent starter should still be in that market. The Mets, Orioles, Angels and Braves are the four teams to watch when it comes to these frontline free-agent starters. – Mark Feinsand, national reporter
4. Does this trade make it more or less likely that the Marlins move Sandy Alcantara?
All offseason, Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix noted that the organization didn’t have to trade a pitcher because the entire staff is under club control for multiple seasons. A return package would need to be enticing enough, which is what the Cubs offered for Cabrera. It’s clear the markets for him and Alcantara differed. Although Alcantara is a former Cy Young winner, his stock went down in his return from Tommy John surgery (82 ERA+). Cabrera, meanwhile, put together a career year (125 ERA+). Alcantara also has fewer years of club control ($21 million club option for 2027) compared to Cabrera (free agent after 2028 season). Miami has starting-pitching depth, but plenty of question marks due to injury concerns: Max Meyer and Braxton Garrett are returning from surgeries and Ryan Weathers has missed substantial time over the past two seasons. Trading Alcantara, a face of the franchise, is even more unlikely now. – Christina De Nicola, Marlins reporter