The Chicago Cubs have began the 2026 season as one of many hottest groups in baseball, regardless of coping with numerous accidents to their pitching workers. 10 pitchers have made journeys to the IL this yr, but the Cubs nonetheless managed to guide a tightly contested NL Central with a 27-16 report.
Popping out of the gate, Edward Cabrera regarded like he may be a steal for the Cubs. He solely gave up 3 runs in his first three begins, however has cooled off with a much less constant Might. Happily for Cabrera, his finest means has been availability.
Matthew Boyd, Justin Steele, Cade Horton, and prime prospect Jaxon Wiggins have all missed time this yr, whereas Cabrera has been an enormous innings eater on the very least for the Cubs, going at the very least 5 innings in each look this season.
Chicago is clearly nonetheless needing extra out of Cabrera, however their offseason acquisition for him is presently trying like a steal. Cabrera was traded from the Marlins for a three-player deal, with the middle piece being Owen Caissie. Infield prospects Christian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon had been the opposite items within the deal, however they’re a few years away from reaching the massive leagues, in the event that they ever do.
Caissie was speculated to be an immediate-impact bat for the Marlins, however has been something however that to start out his tenure with the Marlins. He’s presently slashing .205/.259/.348 with three residence runs. Not solely that, however regardless of the plain intangibles he can deliver together with his athleticism, they haven’t translated into manufacturing on protection, as he has been one of many worst place gamers within the sport.
He presently has -5 fielding run worth, the worst within the sport, first percentile arm worth, and fifth percentile vary, all whereas enjoying one of many best defensive positions within the sport. The Marlins didn’t commerce for his protection; they traded for the bat, and that has some large considerations as effectively.
A excessive strikeout price may be ignored if there’s sufficient manufacturing, however that isn’t the case. Caissie presently holds a 40.7 Okay%, which may be attributed to a whiff% within the eighth percentile. He additionally holds an almost 40% floor ball price, so even when he’s hitting it arduous, it hasn’t been very productive.
Primarily, I believe the Cubs bought excessive on a prospect and landed a man ready of want in Cabrera. Chicago appears to be ready to contend this season, they usually would possibly must swing for an additional front-line starter on the deadline. For now, they discovered a really strong center of the rotation piece in Cabrera, and he has the potential to outperform that baseline as effectively.
