Ed Games

 

The Marlins have once again been talking about dealing starters. They didn't deal any at the deadline, and they still have any and all of Sandy Alcantara, Pablo Lopez, Trevor Rogers, Sixto Sanchez, Braxton Garrett, Elieser Hernandez, Jesus Luzardo and Nick Neidert on their team. Some of them might go during the offseason. If Alcantara wins a Cy Young like people think he will, there's a good chance somebody will trade for him. Lopez I definitely see leaving at the deadline. And so there's a chance that a lot of people might leave.

However I will be bold and say that the one person I know will absolutely be pitching for the Marlins next year is Edward Cabrera. If Lopez and Alcantara go, or if there's a mass exodus of people who will eventually become controllable, Cabrera still stays in Miami. If people leave, Cabrera's the next piece that they can build on and he can be the new ace, like Alcantara became.

What intrigues me, though, is what happens if Kim Ng DOESN'T deal Alcantara, Lopez and others this offseason. What if she says 'let's go on a run', sign a major free agent and keep the core intact as a way of chasing Philly, Atlanta and New York. It could work. It could go super well. And if Alcantara and Lopez stay where they are...then Edward Cabrera will still be a real valuable piece of this team and have a season worth remembering.

Whether they sell or compete, Edward Cabrera is going to be absolutely huge, and I can tell by this season.

Cabrera, since coming back up, has a 2.39 ERA, 55 Ks and a 4-2 record in 9 starts. As inconsistent as he was in 2021, now he is strong, confident, and unstoppable. And even when the spotlight is firmly on Alcantara as he goes for a Cy Young, Cabrera is averaging 10.1 strikeouts per 9 innings, and has only given up 27 hits. Cabrera is showing prowess that indicates a powerful peak, and I sincerely hope the Marlins get every last benefit of it. 

The Marlins overall have been pretty dismal since August. Most of their big guns are injured, they're starting a bunch of rookies and most of them are playing like, well, rookies. I'd honestly understand if Ng deals starters this offseason, because there's so much of a mess in the lineup that it's hard to see when this team will be ready for October. But then again, I said the same thing about the Orioles last year and now they're climbing up the wild card standings. So hopefully Ng knows what she's doing and makes the decision on these pitchers accordingly.

But for now, Edward Cabrera and Sandy Alcantara's starts will certainly suffice.

Coming Tonight: A big, lanky starter who throws fire in KC.