Marlins’ Edward Cabrera Trade Talks Heat Up With Orioles Interested

The Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles stand at a crossroads this offseason. Miami’s listening to trade offers for right-hander Edward Cabrera, while Baltimore debates whether to chase another frontline arm or focus on a big bat.

The Cabrera talks really highlight two different franchise mindsets. The Marlins are willing to deal from their pitching depth, and the Orioles are trying to tweak a roster that’s teetering on the edge of real American League dominance.

Edward Cabrera Trade Talk: High Ceiling, High Risk

Edward Cabrera is the kind of pitcher who keeps front offices up at night, and not always in a bad way. He’s 27, with three more years of team control and a projected $3.7 million arbitration number in 2026.

That’s a bargain in a world where starting pitching keeps getting pricier. Cabrera’s 2024 numbers looked solid—137 2/3 innings, a 3.53 ERA, and flashes where he seemed like a legit No. 2 on a playoff staff.

His fastball velocity sits in the top 13 percent of the league. When he’s locked in, his stuff can be overwhelming.

The Red Flags Behind the ERA

But there are risks. Cabrera’s expected ERA ran higher than his actual 3.53 mark, which makes you wonder if some of his success might fade.

He also gave up a lot of hard contact—when hitters got him, they really got him. Injuries didn’t help either. Cabrera dealt with a finger blister, an elbow sprain, and a shoulder impingement, all in one season.

No single injury was disastrous, but all together, it’s a concern for any team thinking about paying big in prospects.

Why the Marlins Are Willing to Deal from Strength

The Marlins have built up one of baseball’s deeper young pitching groups. They’re signaling that almost anyone could be had for the right return.

The one guy they won’t move? Eury Pérez, the electric righty they see as a long-term anchor.

That means Cabrera’s name keeps popping up in trade rumors. Miami’s logic is pretty straightforward: flip extra pitching for controllable bats or better roster balance, even if it means letting go of a talented but unpredictable arm.

Sandy Alcántara’s Role in the Marlins’ Rotation Plan

If Cabrera leaves, Sandy Alcántara steps right back into the ace role. He’s locked in at $17.3 million for 2026, with a $21 million club option for 2027—pretty good value for a pitcher of his caliber, assuming he stays healthy.

Trading Cabrera would open a spot for Miami’s next wave of arms. They’d keep a proven innings-eater at the top, which feels like classic small-market thinking: move on from riskier pieces, lock in cost certainty around your true star.

Orioles’ Dilemma: Another Ace or a Middle-of-the-Order Bat?

The Orioles’ interest in Cabrera isn’t random. They’ve already worked with Miami, having acquired lefty Trevor Rogers in a deal that’s looked pretty good for Baltimore so far.

Rogers and righty Kyle Bradish now anchor what Baltimore hopes becomes a top-tier rotation. The goal? Add a third high-end starter for October, and Cabrera looks like he could be that guy, at least on paper.

When healthy, his upside is tough to ignore. Baltimore’s pitching coaches have a knack for getting the most out of arms with raw stuff.

Baltimore’s Bullpen Reinforcements and Lineup Priorities

The Orioles have already shored up their bullpen. They signed closer Ryan Helsley and set-up man Andrew Kittredge, putting some real muscle at the back end.

With those leverage innings covered, the front office can afford to be picky about the rotation. Meanwhile, Baltimore’s made a real push to beef up the middle of its lineup.

They offered DH Kyle Schwarber a five-year, $150 million contract. That says a lot about ownership’s willingness to spend for big offense.

Now there’s chatter about chasing other big bats, like Kyle Tucker or Pete Alonso. Either one would totally reshape the lineup, and you can’t help but wonder what’s next.

Why a Cabrera–Orioles Deal Might Not Happen

Despite a seemingly good fit on paper, there’s a lot of skepticism around the league that a Cabrera trade will actually happen. Several teams see the Marlins’ asking price as too high, especially considering his injury history and some concerning underlying numbers.

Baltimore has built its success on a disciplined, value-driven approach. They’re probably not going to overpay for a pitcher with this much volatility, no matter how tempting it might look in the short term.

Every major move for the Orioles now carries October implications. If their analysts don’t buy into Cabrera’s 3.53 ERA as a true reflection of his ability, it just doesn’t make sense to give up big prospect capital. Maybe those resources are better spent chasing the big bat everyone knows they want.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Trade talks for Marlins starter Edward Cabrera heat up, with Orioles in the mix