The Baltimore Orioles pulled off one of the biggest offseason moves of the winter so far when they signed Pete Alonso from the New York Mets on a huge five-year, $155 million deal.
It's a big commitment from the Orioles and shows how serious Mike Elias and company are about putting together a championship-contending roster.
The next step for the Orioles is clear: add a starting pitcher. Bob Nightengale of USA Today predicts that the starter they'll target is a 6'5'' right-hander from the Miami Marlins who's coming off a strong 3.53 ERA season.
Orioles predicted to acquire 6'5'' righty from Marlins
"The Orioles need pitching. Desperately." Nightengale writes. "Prediction: The Orioles trade for Miami Marlins starter Edward Cabrera, who is under team control for three seasons."
Edward Cabrera would be a high-quality starting pitcher to go after, and with the $155 million Alonso contract on the books, Cabrera would be a lot cheaper than a free agent like Ranger Suarez or Framber Valdez.
Cabrera had a 3.53 ERA in 2025 across 26 starts. It was the best season of his MLB career thus far. Across 137.2 innings pitched, he struck out 150 batters and had a WHIP of 1.228.
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While his 2022 season, a 1.074 WHIP and 3.01 ERA, was more impressive, he only made 14 starts in that season.
He's been getting more work in recent years, and his 2025 season was proof that Cabrera can be a full-time starter in the Major Leagues.
The Marlins have been rumored to be listening on their starting pitching, and Cabrera, under club control through the 2028 season, would be a great trade target for the Orioles.
Starting pitching is the biggest remaining need for the Orioles this offseason, and whether it's a free agent or a trade target, Baltimore only needs to add a starter for their club to get back to serious postseason and potentially World Series contention.
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