Cubs’ potential blockbuster trade features alarming red flags

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Matthew Schmidt | Last updated Dec 10, 2025 9:14 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs are reportedly in trade talks with the Miami Marlins to land starting pitcher Edward Cabrera, and on the surface, it seems like a fantastic deal.

Cabrera is a former top prospect with brilliant stuff. He finally came into his own this past season, logging a 3.53 ERA while allowing 121 hits and racking up 150 strikeouts over 137.2 innings of work. He also career-bests in FIP (3.83), WHIP (1.228) and K/BB ratio (3.13).

But while the 27-year-old is unquestionably an enticing potential addition for a Cubs team that has yet to make a big move this offseason, it also comes with its fair share of inherent risks. To be quite frank, the red flags are quite alarming.

Chicago Cubs must be very careful with Edward Cabrera

Aug 8, 2025; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Edward Cabrera (27) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images

We know Cabrera is immensely talented. He throws hard, his stuff has excellent bite and he has averaged 10 strikeouts per nine innings since entering the big leagues in 2021. So why, then, are the Marlins looking to move a pitcher with three years of club control remaining?

Well, up until 2025, Cabrera had never thrown 100 innings in a single season. He has never experienced a truly serious injury, but he has dealt with a variety of injury issues that have limited him to a grand total of 431.2 innings in five seasons. That’s concerning.

And even this past year when the Dominican native finally broke out, he still missed some time with an elbow injury. Perhaps the reason Miami appears so eager to move Cabrera now is because it does not trust that he will remain healthy long term?

Because Cabrera is not slated to hit free agency until 2029, the Marlins will surely ask for a king’s ransom in return for the hurler. Chicago definitely has the prospects to make such a move, but would it be worth it?

The Chicago Cubs should hold off on the Miami Marlins star

Jul 1, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins pitcher Edward Cabrera (27) pitches in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The Cubs already have impressive starting pitching depth as it is. What they need is an ace, and even in Cabrera’s best year in 2025, he was really more of a No. 2 than a top guy.

The risks seem to outweigh the rewards for Chicago here. The idea of Cabrera is tantalizing, for sure. If he ever completely puts it together and remains healthy, he could become one of the better pitchers in baseball. But that’s just the thing: it could be more of an “idea” than a reality.

The Cubs would probably be better off looking elsewhere.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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