1. What does this trade mean for other pitchers who are supposedly available via trade, like MacKenzie Gore and Freddy Peralta? Does it make them more or less likely to be traded?
Cabrera’s price is interesting, as the Cubs gave up their No. 1 and 11 prospects (as well as a third player), but you also have to consider that he is under club control for three more seasons, which likely raised his value. He’s not as good as Gore, who has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining, while Gore isn’t as good as Peralta, who is barely under control for one more season.
That being said, with Cabrera now on the Cubs, one of the options available on the trade market is eliminated. For teams that are not willing to invest large sums in free agents like the Dominican Framber Valdezthe Venezuelan Ranger Suarez o Zac Gallenthe exchange market represents the only way to reinforce rotation. I expected Gore and Peralta to be traded before this deal, so there’s no reason to think otherwise now. — Mark Feinsand, national reporter
2. Is this a case of “our winter work is done,” or should we see this as a preview of bigger moves by the Cubs?
Without a doubt, more movements could come. If the Cubs were going to target an impact bat and bolster the rotation, this was a great way to make it more realistic. By acquiring a pitcher who is still in his arbitration years (Cabrera is under club control through 2028), the Cubs could have gotten the impact arm they needed without having to make huge investments in free agency.
The savings on that front could allow Chicago’s front office to be a little more aggressive in its pursuit of a bat. The Cubs have been linked with Alex Bregman for two consecutive winters, and recent reports have them at least closely following the market for Bo Bichette. Now, in theory, Chicago could reinforce its group of position players without exceeding the first threshold of the Competitive Balance Tax ($244 million). — Jordan Bastian, Cubs reporter
3. There are still several high-profile starting pitchers unsigned as free agents, including Valdez, Gallen and Suárez; Will the market be activated for them now after the Cabrera change, and who would be their most likely suitors?
I’m not convinced that the Cabrera trade will affect those three free agents much, since the Cubs apparently had no intention of spending big on a starter. Gallen’s name has been linked to Chicago all winter, but teams willing to invest in a free agent starter should remain active in that market.
The Mets, Orioles, Angels and Braves are the four teams to watch when it comes to these luxury free agent starters. — Mark Feinsand, national reporter
4. Does this trade make it more or less likely that the Marlins will trade Sandy Alcántara?
All winter, Marlins president of baseball operations Peter Bendix noted that the organization had no need to trade a pitcher, as the entire pitching staff is under club control for several more seasons. A return package would have to be attractive enough, which is exactly what the Cubs offered for Cabrera. It is clear that the markets for him and for Alcántara were different.
Although Alcántara is a former Cy Young Award winner, his value decreased after his return from Tommy John surgery (82 ERA+). Cabrera, for his part, had a revelation season (EFE+ of 125). Alcantara also has fewer years of club control ($21 million club option for 2027) compared to Cabrera (free agent after the 2028 season).
Miami has rotation depth, but also plenty of unknowns due to injuries: Max Meyer and Braxton Garrett are returning from surgeries, and Ryan Weathers has missed significant time over the past two seasons. Transferring Alcántara, one of the faces of the franchise, is now even less likely. — Christina De Nicola, Marlins reporter
