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The Chicago Cubs have surprised many early in the 2026 season, staking a claim atop a tight NL Central despite a parade of injuries to their pitching staff. Even with a long list of pitchers spending time on the injured list, Chicago’s offense and a handful of dependable arms have kept the club competitive and in the thick of the division race.
At the center of that resilience is Edward Cabrera, an offseason pickup from Miami who has delivered durability when the Cubs needed it most. Meanwhile, the Marlins’ return in the trade, Owen Caissie, has struggled to produce and has raised questions about whether Chicago got the better end of the deal.
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Chicago’s 27-16 start looks even more impressive when you consider how often the rotation and bullpen have been shuffled because of injuries. Ten pitchers have landed on the injured list this season, forcing manager and front office adjustments on the fly. Still, the team has remained in first place in a close NL Central.
- Key starters who have missed time: Matthew Boyd, Justin Steele, Cade Horton, and top prospect Jaxon Wiggins.
- Relievers and spot starters have been rotated in to fill innings, but consistency has been hard to come by.
Availability has become a premium for the Cubs — and Cabrera has delivered on that front.
Edward Cabrera: innings eater and stabilizing presence
When Cabrera arrived from Miami, few expected him to be a workhorse. Early in the season he limited damage — allowing only a handful of runs across his first three starts — and while his effectiveness dipped in May, his ability to repeatedly go deep into games has been invaluable.
- Cabrera has completed at least five innings in every outing so far, giving Chicago length when other starters have been sidelined.
- He’s settled into a middle-rotation role, one that can anchor the staff even if he’s not yet a swaggering ace.
Durability is not glamorous, but it’s exactly what the Cubs have needed amid so many absences.
Why a reliable innings eater matters
Long outings reduce strain on the bullpen, limit the need for emergency starts, and help preserve arms for late-season stretches. For a team juggling injuries, a pitcher who can consistently eat five to six innings is often worth more than sporadic flashes of dominance.
Breaking down the trade: what Chicago gave up
The deal that sent Cabrera to Chicago returned a package headlined by outfield prospect Owen Caissie plus two younger infield prospects, Christian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon. Those latter two are distant projects who may not reach the majors for several years, if at all.
- Owen Caissie: the primary piece heading to Miami and the one many scouts expected to impact quickly.
- Christian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon: longer-term lottery tickets in the Cubs’ farm system.
At this stage, the trade reads like a classic present-versus-future exchange: Chicago acquired near-term rotation help, while Miami banked on upside that hasn’t materialized yet.
Owen Caissie’s slow start in Miami and defensive concerns
Caissie arrived with expectations of immediate impact, but his early offensive numbers have been underwhelming. His current slash line sits well below league averages, with limited power and on-base production through the season’s first months.
- Offensive snapshot: a low batting average and on-base rate, with only a few home runs to show.
- Strikeout and contact profile: a very high strikeout percentage and one of the league’s worse whiff rates, which undermines his offensive value.
- Defense: metrics show significant struggles — he ranks at or near the bottom in fielding run value, arm strength, and range among position players.
The combination of weak defense and heavy strikeout tendencies has made Caissie a disappointment so far in Miami.
What the trade means for both teams and the deadline picture
From Chicago’s perspective, the trade already looks like a savvy move: they acquired a pitcher who can provide immediate value and help cover for injured starters. For Miami, Caissie remains a high-upside bet, but his early results signal risk rather than a safe payoff.
Looking ahead to the July trade market, the Cubs could still be in the mood to upgrade. With a realistic shot at contending this season, they may target one or two higher-end starters to complement what Cabrera and the remaining healthy arms provide.
- Short-term need: add a frontline starter to solidify the rotation depth.
- Long-term view: monitor Caissie’s development in case Miami’s investment turns into value down the road.
Right now, Edward Cabrera represents a practical win for Chicago — a dependable middle-rotation arm who could be more valuable than the initial return suggests.
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John Davis is a sports journalist focused on the NBA, NFL, and major global championships. With seven years of live coverage, he breaks down performances and key strategies. His expertise gives you a clear view of every game and its impact.
Man, the Marlins might regret trading Cabrera to the Cubs. Chicagos getting a pitcher who can really stabilize things. Wonder if thisll come back to bite Miami in the end.
Man, the Cubs really pulled a fast one with this trade. Cabreras a gem. But hey, Miamis gotta play the long game. Hope they got some tricks up their sleeve for the future.
Man, the Cubs pulled a sneaky one with Cabrera. Marlins might be feeling regret. Wonder if itll pay off for Chicago in the long run. Intriguing move, gotta give em that.
Man, the Cubs mightve pulled a fast one on the Marlins with this trade for Cabrera. Miami better hope their return is worth losing an innings eater like him. Cubs are playing some serious chess while others play checkers.
Yo, can you believe the Cubs pulling off this trade? Cabreras a solid innings eater, no doubt. But did they give up too much in return? Gotta wonder how this moves gonna play out in the long run, man.
Man, the Cubs really pulled a fast one on the Marlins with this trade! Cabreras gonna bring some serious heat to Chicagos pitching lineup. Marlins might be kicking themselves for this one!
Oh man, the Cubs really played the Marlins like a fiddle with that trade! Cabreras definitely gonna spice up Chicagos pitching game. Marlins might end up kicking themselves hard for this one. Wonder what they were thinking, huh?
Man, the Cubs really pulled a fast one with this trade. Cabreras a solid innings eater, and the Marlins might just end up missing him more than they expect. Gonna be interesting to see how this one plays out.
Man, the Cubs really pulled a fast one on the Marlins with this trade. Cabrera could be a game-changer, but did Miami get enough in return? Cubs seem to be sneaky good at staying competitive despite the pitching rollercoaster.
Man, the Cubs making moves like theyre playing chess while the Marlins out here looking lost in checkers. Cabrera might just be the secret ingredient in Chicagos pitching recipe. Wonder if Miami will regret this one.
Man, the Cubs really pulled a sneaky one with this trade. Cabrera seems like a solid addition, but did they give up too much? Hope this move pays off for them in the long run!
Man, the Cubs really played their cards right with this trade, huh? Cabreras a game-changer. Marlins might be kicking themselves later. Its a dog-eat-dog world out there, and the Cubs are hungry for that win.
Man, the Cubs might be onto something with Cabrera. Marlins better not regret this trade. Wonder how this move will play out in the long run. Exciting times for Cubs fans!