The Miami Marlins are expected to trade Edward Cabrera before the Major League Baseball season begins. The rationale behind this stance is simple: Cabrera’s market value has soared following his successful 2025 campaign and the club doesn’t fully trust him to replicate that production.
But what if they’re wrong? Would the benefits of retaining Cabrera for a bit longer outweigh those provided by a package of presumably younger, more controllable players?
His stuff looks better than ever. He just set a new career-high for average four-seam fastball velocity (97.0 mph) and his curveball has become a nasty complement to his signature changeup. Last season, the 27-year-old demonstrated a newfound willingness to fill up the strike zone, particularly early in counts, culminating in by far his lowest walk rate as a big leaguer. Working from a lower, more comfortable arm slot and once again collaborating with pitching coach Daniel Moskos, what’s stopping him from continuing that?
By any measure, Marlins starting pitchers were mediocre in 2025 even with Cabrera—the unit ranked tied for 18th in MLB in FIP, 24th in innings pitched and 26th in ERA. Why is it seemingly so widely assumed that the rotation will be fine without him? The eventual call-ups of top pitching prospects Thomas White and Robby Snelling could help, but look no further than Cabrera himself for a reminder that we shouldn’t set expectations on players during their debut year (5.81 ERA and 6.63 FIP in 2021).
Cabrera is still three full years away from free agency. What combination of assets could the Marlins realistically receive in exchange that would translate to more wins than Cabrera is projected to provide over that span? The most lopsided trades in recent memory that favored the team parting with its controllable starter—Rays trading Chris Archer, White Sox trading José Quintana—were consummated midseason when wannabe contenders had to throw caution to the wind. You can’t manufacture that sense of urgency in January.
All things considered, I actually do believe now is the appropriate time to trade Cabby! As the previous few paragraphs expressed, though, let’s not lose sight of the fact that this is a risky and multi-layered decision.
Marlins Opening Day is only 80 days away.
🔹 Right-hander Jack Ralston is the sixth confirmed Marlins minor league free agent signing of the offseason. He will have to be improve his control to earn a call-up from Triple-A Jacksonville.
🔹 Kevin Barral helmed our latest Fish On First Opening Day roster projection with the additions of Pete Fairbanks and Esteury Ruiz.
🔹 According to Ben Badler of Baseball America, international free agent infielders Ronny Muñoz and Santiago Solarte are expected to receive the 34th-largest and 45th-largest bonuses of the 2026 signing period, respectively. Both bonuses should land in the $1-2 million range. Badler is particularly bullish on Solarte, a “remarkably coordinated” shortstop with the potential for plus-plus raw power once he fills out his 6’6″ frame.
🔹 Also from BA, Walter Villa spoke to Kevin Defrank about his background and pursuit of greatness. The 17-year-old could ultimately reach 6’7″, doctors have told him. Defrank will experience his first stateside spring training beginning next month, and he’s bringing his mother with him from the Dominican Republic.
🔹 dym explained why Kyle Stowers, Joe Mack, Josh White, Sandy Alcantara and Graham Pauley are particularly critical to the fate of the 2026 Marlins.
🔹 For those who couldn’t attend the NHL Winter Classic at loanDepot park, South Florida Sports Historian captured the venue’s transformation from all angles.
🔹 Agustín Ramírez returned to his hometown in the Dominican Republic. He and his mother reflected on how far they’ve come.
🔹 Congratulations to Deyvison De Los Santos and Edili Jiménez, who got engaged last weekend.
🔹Elsewhere around baseball, the Kansas City Royals signed manager Matt Quatraro to a three-year contract extension. The Philadelphia Phillies hired Don Mattingly as their new bench coach. Mattingly held the same position with the Toronto Blue Jays from 2023-2025. In other former Fish news, Joey Wiemer was claimed off waivers by the Washington Nationals and George Soriano was designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles.