Cubs-Marlins Edward Cabrera Trade Sounds Bad For Red Sox

At first glance, the news that the Marlins traded right-hander Edward Cabrera to the Cubs for a package of prospects sounds promising for Red Sox Nation.

After all, by sending him to Chicago, Miami made sure Cabrera didn’t land with the New York Yankees, who were in the market for the 27-year-old.

Upon closer inspection however, it’s possible the Cabrera deal could damage Boston’s chances of signing third baseman Alex Bregman or shortstop Bo Bichette.

“If the Cubs were going to target an impact bat and add to the rotation, this was a great way to make that more realistic,” MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian reports. “By landing a pitcher still in his arbitration years (Cabrera is under control through 2028), the Cubs may have solved their need for an impact arm without breaking the bank in free agency.

“The savings on that front could allow Chicago’s front office to be a little more aggressive in pursuing a bat,” Bastian adds.

“The Cubs have been linked to Alex Bregman two offseasons in a row now, and recent reports have them at least keeping tabs on the market for Bo Bichette. Now, Chicago could, in theory, add to the position-player group without going over the first Competitive Balance Tax threshold ($244 million),” Bastian concludes.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon report the Cubs, like the Red Sox, are in the market for Bregman and Bichette.

“The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs are among the teams talking to both players, according to people briefed on the conversations,” Rosenthal and Sammon write.

“The Blue Jays have been in touch with both, too, but now appear more focused on (Kyle) Tucker.

“The Cubs’ interest in Bichette, first reported by Jon Heyman, stems from their desire to upgrade at third base – something the signing of Bregman also would accomplish,” Rosenthal and Sammon add.

“Bregman, who turns 32 in March, is four years older than Bichette, but a number of teams view his leadership as a difference-maker,” Rosenthal and Sammon note.

According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, during an appearance on “First Up with Korolnek & Colaiacovo” on Friday, the Red Sox have made an “aggressive offer” to Bregman.

“The details of the offer are still unknown, but Bregman is thought to be seeking a six-year deal,” The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey reports.

“But for now, the sides sit at a stalemate: the Red Sox seemingly satisfied with their current offer and Bregman likely holding out for more,” McCaffrey adds.

“Bregman has control here, given the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers are all in the mix for his services, though Boston has long been the favorite to re-sign him,” McCaffrey concludes.

In his first season with the Red Sox, Bregman earned his third All-Star nod while hitting .273 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs in 114 games. But he missed almost two months of the season with a quad injury.