“I’ll Be Happy Not Having to Face Him Again!”: Pete Crow-Armstrong Endorses Edward Cabrera Trade.vc
Chicago Cubs superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) has delivered a powerful, off-the-cuff endorsement of the team’s rumored pursuit of Miami Marlins starter Edward Cabrera, stating simply, “I’ll be happy not having to face him again!”
The comment, made to reporters while discussing the Cubs’ need for front-line pitching, immediately fueled speculation that the Cubs are poised to finally acquire the electric, young right-hander via trade. Cabrera is reportedly one of the most popular names on the trade market this winter.
The Source of PCA’s Fear
PCA’s desire to see Cabrera in a Cubs uniform stems from a brief but painful encounter during the 2025 season that cemented the pitcher’s terrifying potential:
- The Matchup: In the one game PCA faced Cabrera (the main character of the trade rumors), the Cubs center fielder went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.
- The Moment: During one plate appearance, a nasty, two-strike slider from Cabrera grazed PCA’s thigh. Though it hit him, it was ruled a strikeout because PCA swung over the top of the pitch, illustrating how the pitcher’s wicked movement and velocity can totally disrupt a hitter’s timing.
Why Cabrera Fits the Cubs’ Top Priority
The Cubs’ top priority this offseason is to upgrade their starting rotation, especially after the expected departure of Shota Imanaga and the uncertain status of Justin Steele (who is recovering from elbow surgery). Cabrera is a perfect target for the Cubs’ trade-first strategy:
| Pitcher: Edward Cabrera | 2025 Stats & Control | Why the Cubs Want Him |
| Electric Stuff | 3.53 ERA, 150 SO in 137.2 IP | He possesses an elite arm talent (fastball, slider, changeup mix) that Jed Hoyer and the Cubs’ pitching staff believe they can help blossom into a true ace. |
| Trade Target | Controlled via arbitration through 2028 | The Cubs are hesitant to hand out “mega-deals” in free agency. Acquiring Cabrera via trade gives them four years of cost-controlled, front-line pitching without the massive long-term financial risk. |
| Trade History | Cabrera is “very popular” in the trade market, and the Cubs and Marlins were in deep talks about him (and Sandy Alcantara) at the 2025 trade deadline. | The mutual interest and recent history suggest a deal is highly probable, with MLB analysts projecting the Marlins will move a starter by the Winter Meetings. |
PCA’s public endorsement adds a fun layer to the speculation, but the underlying sentiment is serious: The Cubs are aggressively pursuing the type of high-upside, controllable pitcher they need to take the NL Central crown back from the Brewers.
Cabrera is just one of several pitchers linked to the North Side. Would you like to know the latest buzz on the Cubs’ pursuit of free agent ace Dylan Cease as an alternative?
