We wrote recently about the Miami Marlins using a 6-man rotation. In order to help spark the playoff push, it could be just the thing that The Fish need. It appears that it's actually going to be happening. It will start with Edward Cabrera being promoted back up from the Minor Leagues. He's expected to take the mound tonight in fact against the Los Angeles Dodgers. What can we expect from Cabrera going forward?
The Miami Marlins are going with a 6-man rotation and calling Edward Cabrera back up.
The Miami Marlins demoted Edward Cabrera earlier this season. The former top prospect debuted in 2021, and had a 5.81 ERA/6.63 FIP, with 9.6 K/9 and 6.5 BB/9 in 7 games and 26.1 innings pitched. He followed that up with a significantly better 2022 season. That season, he pitched to a 3.01 ERA/4.59 FIP, with 9.4 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 14 games and 71.2 innings pitched.
Unfortunately, Edward Cabrera wasn't as good this season. He pitched to a 4.79 ERA/4.67 FIP, with 10.9 K/9 and 6.1 BB/9 in 17 games and 77.0 innings pitched. This was a pretty bad follow-up so far, which is of course why he was demotedcin the first place. He's been a lot better in AAA this season, delivering a 2.22 ERA with 9.5 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9, in 5 games and 28.1 innings pitched. Hopefully he can carry that production over to the Major Leagues.
The Fish have some good arms surrounding Edward Cabrera. Sandy Alcantara (4.14 ERA/4.03 FIP); Jesus Luzardo (3.59 ERA/3.65 FIP); Braxton Garrett (3.86 ERA/3.67 FIP); Eury Perez (2.86 ERA/4.02 FIP) and Johnny Cueto (5.54 ERA/6.53 FIP). Cueto hasn't been good this season, and I'm not sure why he can't just be moved to the bullpen, with Cabrera taking his place.
Does it make sense for the Miami Marlins to just replace Johnny Cueto with Edward Cabrera, instead of having them both pitch in the rotation? It's possible that this will work, or maybe sending Cueto out there will be more of a liability than a positive. We'll find all of that out in the coming weeks.