2023 Marlins Season Review: Edward Cabrera

Relive all of the ups and downs of the 2023 Miami Marlins with our Fish On First Season Review, containing detailed articles about a wide variety of players. The FOF staff analyzes the individual impact that each of them had and what it means for their future with the organization.

This installment focuses on right-hander Edward Cabrera.

2023 Timeline

• June 17—placed on the 15-day injured list (right shoulder impingement)
• July 8—sent on a rehab assignment to Jupiter Hammerheads
• July 18—activated from the 15-day injured list
• August 1—optioned to Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
• September 6—recalled from Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Season Stats: 22 G/20 GS, 99.2 IP, 4.24 ERA, 4.43 FIP, 10.66 K/9, 5.96 BB/9

Coming off an effective but injury-shortened 2022 season, Edward Cabrera's name was frequently brought up in trade rumors last winter. As the Marlins aimed to upgrade their offense, it made sense that they would consider flipping a relatively inexperienced starting rotation candidate who had his fair share of durability concerns. Ultimately, the Marlins held onto Cabrera and entered 2023 with him in their rotation.

From the very beginning, Cabrera was struggling with control issues. Through two starts, he led the entire major leagues with 13 walks. Although he settled down a bit as the season progressed, his season total of 66 walks was the most on the Marlins pitching staff—that's despite missing time on the injured list and also spending a month in Triple-A.

Cabrera's only scoreless start of 2023 came against the Oakland Athletics on June 2. The A's finished with the worst record in the majors.

On the other hand, it's worth mentioning that Cabrera avoided disaster starts as well. He never allowed more than five runs in an appearance. He had a habit of making his best pitches in the most important situations, holding opponents to a .172 batting average with runners in scoring position.

Cabrera continued to rely very heavily on his secondary pitches. Fastballs (four-seamers and sinkers) accounted for only 37.2% of his pitch mix. It's a surprising approach for somebody who ranks in the 86th percentile in average fastball velocity, per Baseball Savant.

Cabrera has repeatedly needed to leave starts early due to blisters on his throwing hand. That continued to be the case this season, raising questions about whether a starting role is best for him if pitching deep into games keeps causing this to happen.

The decision to demote Cabrera to Jacksonville after the trade deadline was partly based on performance and also in part due to his attitude. Cabrera posted a 2.22 ERA in five starts with the Jumbo Shrimp. Recalling him in September was done out of necessity given the Marlins' lack of rotation depth at that stage of the season.

Cabrera's second stint with Miami was a lot better. He had a 2.38 ERA during a stretch that included matchups against postseason-bound teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers.

Cabrera was included on the Marlins playoff roster with the expectation that he would be used in Game 3 of the Wild Card Series if necessary. Since Miami was swept by the Philadelphia Phillies in two games, he did not make an appearance.

Future with Marlins

Given that Sandy Alcantara is out for the entirety of the 2024 season and Johnny Cueto is doubtful to return, it is a possibility that Cabrera ends up back in the starting rotation. Between guys returning from injuries and offseason acquisitions, it would be ideal for the Marlins to have enough depth to transition Cabrera to the bullpen. Either way, he'll need to have a role on the major league team because he's out of options.

Photo by Danis Sosa/Fish On First