What Edward Cabrera trade means for rest of 2026 Miami Marlins roster

At long last, the Miami Marlins got their man.

Word broke Wednesday that a deal between the Marlins and the Chicago Cubs was close, with Owen Caissie likely being the centerpiece of the return. If that sounds familiar, it's because you were paying attention to the 2024 Hot Stove season, when Caissie was frequently brought up as a Marlins target in the Jesus Luzardo trade talks. It came up again this past summer. This is something Peter Bendix has wanted to make happen for awhile. After a few frantic, physical-filled hours, Craig Mish confirmed that the deal was completed.

So here we are today. Owen Caissie, you are a Miami Marlin.

Infielders Cristian Hernandez and Edgardo De Leon are coming along as well, though those are likely longer term plays. MLB.com has Hernandez pegged as arriving in 2027. De Leon is just 18 years old, and didn't crack the Top 30.

The fact that Edward Cabrera was traded? That's not the part that should be a system shock for Miami Marlins fans, as those rumors have been flying for months, and reached a fever pitch the past few weeks. While the Marlins have been heavily rumored to do that before, it felt different this offseason. This was happening.

The fact that it was the Cubs though, and the fact that it was for immediately MLB ready talent?

That is newsworthy, and worth some reflection by Marlins fans as they (well most of them) take their victory laps over what is easily the most exciting trade the team has made in years. Because while the trade might have been expected, it was never a lock that it wouldn't be one last move for a bounty of kids that will be old enough to vote some day. Even if uber-young talent wasn't the goal going in, you know that Bendix was not going to be one to leave the best offer on the table. If the team that made the best offer did it by mortgaging their future, that was going to be the offer accepted.

Thankfully for fans of the 2026 Marlins, and not the 2030 model of the club, most of what the Cubs had to offer was already on the MLB doorstep. Eight of their Top 10 prospects per MLB.com heading into the trade were expected to see the majors in 2026. Eight, with Cassie as the crown jewel.

Now, that's not to say there isn't a chance some service time games could be played with Cassie. It can't be dismissed until it doesn't happen. Yet there's no denying that by May at the latest, and quite likely just by Opening Day, this trade means the 2026 Miami Marlins roster will look very different from what fans were expecting just forty-eight hours ago.

For starters, despite making it a perfect three for three lefties in the outfield, you can't really look at Caissie as anything other than the eventual everyday right fielder. That puts Griffin Conine and Heriberto Hernandez out of the running for the last outfield spot, and leaves them with the first base/designated hitter scrum if they are to crack the starting lineup. Certainly either one of them could spell one of the regulars, but that's also theoretically why the team acquired Esteury Ruiz. Conine has the strongest arm, but the fact he also bats lefty could put him at a disadvantage in the outfield race.

Of course, as a pitcher was just traded, the obvious job opening is in the starting rotation. The Marlins entered the week with nine exciting options for the starting rotation, and at least two others that could probably do the job as a serviceable No. 5 in an MLB rotation in Ryan Gusto and Adam Mazur. While they could, and probably should, explore adding a veteran free agent, this deal seemingly just bump everyone up a rung that was set to battle it out for that No. 5 spot. So in addition to Gusto and Mazur, Braxton Garrett and Max Meyer look like the big winners- at least until extra years of control on Robby Snelling and Thomas White are secured.

Two final notes stand out, one for this season, and one down the road.

For 2026, with no MLB ready corner infielders coming back, this would seem to leave third base to the Graham Pauley-Connor Norby slugfest it was expected to be, with the loser joining newcomer Christopher Morel in the aforementioned first base/designated hitter scrum. Of course, Marlins fans should also expect Miami to lean heavily into the flexibility of their roster.

For 2027, this is where it's worth reflecting on Cristian Hernandez for a moment. Listed as a 2B/SS that could play third, that's yet another middle infielder Otto Lopez might want to look over his shoulder at if his Cinderella story from waiver find to Gold Glove quality defender hits a speed bump this year. However, that's a problem for future Otto.

Bottom-line, barring a follow-up free agent signing, this trade is good news for one pitcher, potentially a big blow for the son of a franchise favorite, and fantastic news for Marlins fans excited for watching a competitive team in 2026.