A’s Named as a Possible Trade Destination for Rising Marlins Pitcher
While it’s well-known that the Oakland Athletics are in need of pitching, seeing them linked to a quality arm at the upcoming trade deadline could catch some off guard. In a recent piece on MLB.com, Mark Feinsand outlined 14 top trade candidates and suggested potential landing spots for each.
One of those arms, Tampa Bay Rays starter Zack Littell, was linked to the A’s. However, this seems unlikely considering Oakland’s standing — their 32–46 record places them just ahead of the struggling Chicago White Sox (24–52) in the American League. With so many teams to leapfrog, the A’s slim 0.6% playoff odds make a short-term rental like Littell — who’s a free agent after the season — a questionable fit. Tampa Bay, still in playoff contention with a 61.4% chance, may not even sell at the deadline.
That said, the A’s were also connected to another pitcher, this time from the Miami Marlins, and the fit appears more logical.
Edward Cabrera is the pitcher in question. Unlike Littell, Cabrera remains under team control through arbitration until 2028, making him a rare long-term option. The A’s typically sell off players before they become expensive, but with the team showing a willingness to spend more recently, the script may be flipping. Cabrera is earning $1.95 million this season, a manageable figure.
Cabrera’s mix of affordability and control aligns well with Oakland’s rebuilding timeline. The 26-year-old has MLB experience dating back to 2021, with 353 total innings and a career ERA of 4.23. This season, through 12 starts, he’s posted a 3.81 ERA (3.89 FIP) across 59 innings — respectable numbers. He boasts a 24.8% strikeout rate and a 10.2% walk rate, which, while not elite, is serviceable. On the A’s current roster, only Jacob Lopez (29.7%) and J.T. Ginn (27.8%) have higher strikeout rates, but with limited sample sizes. Cabrera could boost a rotation that needs more swing-and-miss talent, especially given Oakland’s defensive struggles.
Since May 25, Cabrera has turned heads with a 2-1 record and a 1.46 ERA (2.74 FIP) in five starts against the Angels, Giants, Rays, Nationals, and Phillies. His performance during this stretch places him among the league’s top arms — between MacKenzie Gore (1.44 ERA) and Hunter Brown (1.48 ERA) — over that span.
One concern with Cabrera is his workload. He’s only pitched six full innings once this season, and his pitch counts are typically capped — his highest this year being 82 pitches. That could be by design, as his performance drops dramatically the third time through a batting order. This season, his ERA is 2.73 the first time through, 2.81 the second, but skyrockets to 11.57 the third time. Historically, this has been an issue in his career. In 2023 and 2024, when Cabrera exited with runners on base, they scored 54.3% of the time — well above average. That number has improved significantly to 18.2% in 2024.
Cabrera brings plenty of upside. He ranks in the 85th percentile for fastball velocity with a heater averaging 96.6 mph. His chase rate (70th percentile), whiff rate (61st), and strikeout rate (67th) all stand above league average. His ground ball rate is about average, which, when combined with his swing-and-miss stuff, could play well at Oakland’s pitcher-friendly Sutter Health Park.
Pitch-wise, Cabrera leans on a trio of offerings: changeup (24.5%), sinker (23.2%), and curveball (22.7%). The curveball has been especially effective, holding batters to a .163 average with a .134 expected average and a 41.1% whiff rate. He also features a hard 88 mph slider (15% usage) that hitters are batting just .205 against with a 44% whiff rate.
In short, Cabrera could be a smart addition to Oakland’s rotation. He brings team control, an upward trajectory, and a different profile than other starters. While injuries — including issues with his right shoulder, elbow, and occasional blisters — have slowed him at times, he’d still represent an upgrade. Plus, given his injury history, his trade cost may not be exorbitant, though Miami would still want a meaningful return due to his years of control.
