How recent Orioles trade could impact Miami Marlins plans and Edward Cabrera market

What Could The Miami Marlins Pry Lose From Baltimore?

Let's start with the fun part for the Miami Marlins- what they could possibly get in a deal with the Orioles.

The obvious place to start would be what sure looks like the biggest need position in the Marlins lineup-first base. The Orioles have a bevy of options for manning the position in 2026, and would surely part with one of them if it helped fill their starting pitching needs. All of them would be an upgrade over Miami's current options, and one would quickly become one of the best players on their roster.

At the low end of the spectrum? Ryan Mountcastle, a big power bat that Baltimore might be willing to throw into a deal for free. Indeed, he's been rumored as a non-tender candidate later this afternoon. Yet while you could argue that he's a rich man's Matt Mervis, the fact that Orioles might even consider cutting him lose has more to do with how clogged their lineup is with similar hitters than a true indictment of his abilities. He'd be part of the package in a Cabrera deal, not the headliner, and would likely even be obtainable for one of Miami's lesser arms. Braxton Garrett would make a lot of sense here if he's capable of passing a physical.

Higher up the ladder but also a bit on the outs with Baltimore is Coby Mayo, who could play first or third. He's the higher regarded talent, with much more control left. He hasn't made the most of his limited chances in the majors yet, but they have been limited chances. Much like the Marlins were able to give former Orioles Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers far more leash the past couple seasons, they can do the same thing for Mayo. True, Miami is actually trying to win from the jump in 2026, but the lack of better options at the corners gives them the flexibility to endure more growing pains. Even though Mayo has lost some shine, this deal would require Cabrera to happen.

Last among the first base options: Samuel Basallo, one of the Top 10 prospects in MLB. Capable of playing both first base and catcher, and playing them well, he gives them a lot of flexibility. Plus, all evidence would suggest he's going to be an excellent hitter. There's a reason he's a Top 10 prospect. Would the Orioles move him? I'd be stunned. If you thought the backlash from moving Grayson Rodriguez was bad, pull up a chair and watch what happens if the Orioles dealt him for Cabrera.

The thing is, Cabrera isn't the only starting pitcher the Marlins are rumored to be considering dealing.

Trading Basallo for Cabrera would be an extremely aggressive move much closer to malpractice than wise, only making some sense if the Orioles were planning on spending big on offense in free agency. But trading Basallo for the 2022 NL Cy Young winner that is still in his prime, Sandy Alcantara? That...could work, and is a trade that would be able to be sold as a win by both front offices.

Beyond filling the first base hole, designated hitter becomes the next target. Tyler O'Neil enters the chat at the point as perhaps the Orioles most expendable outfielder after the Rodriguez-Ward deal. He regressed hard in 2025 and has battled injuries, but perhaps they get solved by telling him his fielding days are largely over? A dark horse possibility of an Alcantara for Adley Rutschman deal looms here as well, as Basallo could easily take over as Baltimore's catcher of the future. However, that deal gets sticky fast for Miami. Liam Hicks, Joe Mack, and Agustin Ramirez are all still with the team, and adding Rutschman to the mix would necessitate converting at least one of them away from catcher, if not two of them. Either that, or more trades. Not undoable, but again, sticky.

Bottom-line, Miami can afford to move a starting pitcher and the Orioles absolutely have to move a bat for more pitching. Plus, the last deal these teams made worked out pretty well for both sides. No reason to think it can't happen again.

Of course, before the Marlins trade one of their starting pitchers, an important question needs to be answered...