Chicago Cubs’ Edward Cabrera brings swagger to rotation: “I’m the best”

The Chicago Cubs had been eyeballing Edward Cabrera for quite some time. They had reportedly explored acquiring him following the 2024 season and then, again, at the trade deadline last season.

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The team loved his stuff, his raw potential, and the fact that he seemed to be putting everything together for next level success. They also loved the fact that the young arm was under firm team control, not eligible for free agency until after the 2028 season.

This offseason, Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer finally pulled the trigger on a deal to bring Cabrera to Chicago. It was a big, bold move that cost the Cubs their no. 1 prospect OF Owen Caissie, their no. 11 prospect SS/2B Cristian Hernandez, and INF Edgardo De Leon.

Cabrera is “ready to take off”

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It was a heavy price to pay for a farm system already tapped and moving in the wrong direction, from top-tier to lower-third. But a 27-year-old with an upside like Cabrera’s who could give the team three full years at a budget price is not something you really want to pass up, especially if your plan is to challenge for a championship in the here and now.

“What we see in Edward [Cabrera] is just a pitcher who’s ready to take off,” manager Craig Counsell said during Cubs Convention. “We have to try to figure out how to get him to the next place. And that’s what’s fun about coaching — we’re going to help him get to that place.”

Last season, the native of the Dominican Republic had a career year, posting a 3.53 ERA over 137.2 innings and 26 starts. Many analysts feel that 2025 was the year he turned the corner in his development and began to become the pitcher many felt he would become. He struck out more, walked a lower percentage, and, overall, just seemed more commanding as an in-your-face power pitcher.

Bringing swagger to the Cubs’ rotation

Coming into spring training with the Cubs this season, Cabrera brings a swagger that stands out among the team’s reserved, low-key rotation.

“With all due respect to everyone here, whenever I step on the mound, I think I’m the best,” Cabrera recently told the Marquee Sports Network through an interpreter. “Every time I cross that white line and I get out there and start pitching, I’m the best.”

“It gets me excited to contribute here,” Cabrera continued. “Just to help them out because I always knew before getting here that this was a very competitive team…a team that is always in the race.”

For all his self-confidence, though, Cabrera does not come without risk.

Edward Cabrera, the risks

The hard-throwing righty has a significant history of injury. Last season was the first time that he pitched more than 100 innings in the majors and, even then, he spent time on the IL twice, the second time with some concerning UCL/elbow issues.

“I’ve talked to people around the league who were kind of surprised he cleared medicals,” Marquee Sports Network’s Lance Brozdowski said on the North Side Territory podcast, at the time of the trade. “Talking with teams who communicated with the Marlins about Cabrera; this was a hang-up for other teams.”

Some feel that, given his power-pitching style and the apparent strain on his elbow, Cabrera is due for a physical breakdown that may require Tommy John surgery at some point.

The Cubs were willing to take that risk, confident that perhaps some mechanical tweaks and careful watching of innings will keep Cabrera healthy and productive. Chicago DOES have the rotation depth to limit his innings and give the occasional extra day of rest to ease the wear and tear.

But, risks aside, Cabrera brings legit power to a rotation more known for nuance and provoking manageable light contact. He also clearly brings a heaping dose of ace-level confidence.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-edward-cabrera-2026-spring-training-rotation