The Chicago Cubs just got a significant upgrade to their rotation.

The rumour mill was flowing early this morning, with reports from those who cover the Marlins reporting that the framework of a deal was in place that would see right-hander Edward Cabrera heading to the Cubs. The players heading the opposite way were still to be determined; however, Canadian Owen Caissie was attached to the transaction from the get-go, and when the dust settled, Caissie, infielder Cristian Hernandez, and Edgardo De Leon were the ones heading to Florida in the deal.

Since making his debut in 2021, Cabrera has pitched to a 4.07 ERA and a 4.45 FIP across 431 2/3 innings. Last season, he pitched a career high 137 2/3 innings across 26 starts and finished the year with a 1.228 WHIP and a 3.83 FIP in what was easily his best season in the big leagues. The 27-year-old is a Super 2 player and has three more years of arbitration before hitting free agency following the 2028 season.

The Dominican product has struggled to stay healthy, and since 2024, he has landed on the IL for various injuries: shoulder impingement, middle finger blister, right elbow sprain, and right elbow tendonitis. All are arm injuries, which is concerning for a pitcher who can throw upper 90s with his fastball. Cabrera uses a five-pitch mix pretty evenly, with his changeup leading the way at 25.8% followed by his curveball (23.6%), sinker (20.6%), and slider (17.3%), with his four-seamer bringing up the rear (12.7%). Because of the injuries, Cabrera has only pitched above 100 innings once in his career.

Leading the prospect haul to Miami is Caissie, who is the Cubs’ top prospect heading into 2026.

The Canuck will likely slide into the Marlins’ Opening Day lineup and has a few big league games under his belt last season after making his debut in Toronto. He spent most of the year in Iowa, where he posted a .286/.386/.551 slash line with 22 home runs and 55 RBIs. Even with Kyle Tucker heading to free agency, Caissie was blocked in the outfield for regular playing time by Kevin Alcantara, Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, and Pete Crow-Armstrong.

Joining Caissie in Miami is the Cubs’ 11th-ranked prospect in Hernandez. The Dominican product spent all of last season in High-A South Bend, where he amassed a .252./.329/.365 slash line with a .694 OPS across 115 games. Rounding out the group is Edgardo De Leon, who suited up in the ACL last year and hit to a .853 OPS across 43 games.

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