Cubs gamble on pitcher Edward Cabrera, trading away outfield prospect Owen Caissie. Will this bold move pay off, or will Caissie haunt Chicago?
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Video Transcript
What is up Cubs fans and welcome back to Cubs Roundtable.
What is up Cubs fans and welcome back to Cubs Roundtable.
I’m Joey Polizzi talking about all things Cubs.
I’m Joey Polizzi talking about all things Cubs.
And one of the Cubs’ bigger moves this offseason was acquiring Edward Cabrera in a trade with the Miami Marlins.
And one of the Cubs’ bigger moves this offseason was acquiring Edward Cabrera in a trade with the Miami Marlins.
Obviously, Cabrera answered the frontline starter needed, the Cubs needed this offseason, and the Cubs are hoping that Cabrera will be just that.
Obviously, Cabrera answered the frontline starter needed, the Cubs needed this offseason, and the Cubs are hoping that Cabrera will be just that.
But it came at the expense of getting rid of one of their top prospects in Owen Casey.
But it came at the expense of getting rid of one of their top prospects in Owen Casey.
And with Casey, you saw some glimpses of his potential in his limited at-bats with the Cubs last year.
And with Casey, you saw some glimpses of his potential in his limited at-bats with the Cubs last year.
That potential was also on display in his minor league career down in the Cubs farm system.
That potential was also on display in his minor league career down in the Cubs farm system.
But to acquire Edward Cabrera, the Cubs had to part ways with Owen Casey.
But to acquire Edward Cabrera, the Cubs had to part ways with Owen Casey.
And now the Cubs have to watch Owen Casey kind of dominate because Owen Casey is off to a fantastic start here with the Miami Marlins to start the 2026 season.
And now the Cubs have to watch Owen Casey kind of dominate because Owen Casey is off to a fantastic start here with the Miami Marlins to start the 2026 season.
In his first game of the year, he started, went one for four with a double, an RBI, and then in the second game, he went and did some good things going three for four, a double, an RBI, a stolen base.
In his first game of the year, he started, went one for four with a double, an RBI, and then in the second game, he went and did some good things going three for four, a double, an RBI, a stolen base.
And we’re kind of seeing why Owen Casey was once a top prospect in baseball.
And we’re kind of seeing why Owen Casey was once a top prospect in baseball.
He has that potential as a hitter at the plate to elevate an offense.
He has that potential as a hitter at the plate to elevate an offense.
And we saw it last, yesterday against the Rockies.
And we saw it last, yesterday against the Rockies.
Casey has the potential, has the skill set to be a really good hitter in the league, and he looks to be more disciplined at the plate.
Casey has the potential, has the skill set to be a really good hitter in the league, and he looks to be more disciplined at the plate.
Barrel rate stays good, and the bat speed is elite.
Barrel rate stays good, and the bat speed is elite.
And those three things could help Casey be a consistent hitter throughout his career.
And those three things could help Casey be a consistent hitter throughout his career.
And the Cubs are gonna have to watch that because getting rid of him, the Cubs are now gonna have to watch Owen Casey dominate for another organization.
And the Cubs are gonna have to watch that because getting rid of him, the Cubs are now gonna have to watch Owen Casey dominate for another organization.
So we’ll see what happens with Casey.
So we’ll see what happens with Casey.
Obviously, it’s early in the year.
Obviously, it’s early in the year.
There’s nothing to take away from it so far.
There’s nothing to take away from it so far.
But Casey does look like a different hitter from a season ago and does look like a really, really good major league hitter.
But Casey does look like a different hitter from a season ago and does look like a really, really good major league hitter.
But let me know what you guys think about the Casey trade.
But let me know what you guys think about the Casey trade.
Did you like it at the time?
Did you like it at the time?
Did you not?
Did you not?
And as always, guys, go Cubs, go.
And as always, guys, go Cubs, go.
