Blue Jays trade deadline target: Edward Cabrera

Cabrera’s best weapon is his four-seam fastball (93-97 mph), but he also deploys a slider, curveball, sinker, and a changeup. He’s closing in on a career-high in innings pitched (99 2/3 in 2023) and has spent most of the season in the big leagues after going to and from triple-A Jacksonville sporadically through 2021-24. Cabrera’s 2025 strikeout rate of 24.9% is in line with his career average of 25.7%, but he’s reduced his walk rate from 12.1% to 8.1%. Over his last five starts, Cabrera is 2-2 with a 2.79 ERA with 29 strikeouts over 29 innings pitched. He’s averaged just over five innings per start, and pitched seven innings twice over his last four starts.

Contract Situation

One of the things that makes Cabrera so appealing at the trade deadline is that he still has three more years of arbitration following the 2025 season, as he is a Super Two player. Cabrera will not be free-agent eligible until after the 2028 season. He’s figured out how to use his stuff, and his ascendance makes him a more desirable trade target than teammate and former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara, who’s struggled with a devilish 6.66 ERA this season. 

If the Blue Jays believe Cabrera has ace-level potential, he could make the most sense for them amongst a talented group of likely trade targets, and would inject some youth into a veteran-heavy rotation. This will drive up the asking price for the Marlins hurler, but a sacrifice the Jays may need to make for some contract control in the rotation. 

How does Cabrera help the Blue Jays?

If he is acquired, Cabrera would be a move for this season and beyond, and with Chris Bassitt set to hit free agency and Kevin Gausman’s contract up after next season (as well as a potential Jose Berrios opt-out following the 2026 campaign), the plan for the future of the rotation would be set in motion.

This is also about how the Blue Jays can help Cabrera find that next level. Veteran pitching coach Pete Walker and the extremely experienced starting rotation will give him the best chance to maximize Cabrera’s abilities, and not only help the player, but also the organization in this ‘do-or-die’ season.