Orioles Rumors: Trade for coveted Marlins pitcher being discussed at Winter Meetings

The question that has been following the Baltimore Orioles throughout the Winter Meetings is when Mike Elias will prove that he is capable of adding a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, and we may soon have our answer. After striking out on their efforts to sign Kyle Schwarber, though matching the contract he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies, the Orioles could be closing in on a trade with the Phillies' division rival.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon (subscription required) report that the Miami Marlins have made progress in their efforts to trade Edward Cabrera, specifically mentioning the Orioles as the potential trade partner.

The Orioles could be zeroing in on the starting pitching upgrade they desperately need.

The MLB insiders caution that other teams are also believed to still be in the mix, and that the Marlins' high asking price has left some skepticism over a deal actually being made.

Dating back to the trade deadline, the Marlins have been shopping Cabrera. The asking price they had in July was the reason why Miami ultimately decided to hold onto the 27-year-old starting pitchers, but as the Winter Meetings got underway on Monday, the impression was they were ready to move him.

Cabrera is just now entering arbitration and is under control for three more seasons. Projected to make $3.1 million next season, a trade for the right-hander would, in theory, still allow Baltimore to see their pursuit of Pete Alonso through.

Throughout his early years with the Marlins, Cabrera's swing-and-miss stuff proved capable of sitting at the top of any rotation he was in, but his command issues were often what held him back. That changed last season when he posted an ERA of 3.53 while walking a career-low 8.3% of the batters he faced.

Even with the improved command, there is still some work needed. Cabrera has trended in the wrong direction in recent seasons with his hard-hit percentage. It's not anything that should deter Baltimore from making the deal, and in a rotation with Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish, they can live with that risk, assuming Cabrera is the No. 3 starter.

If there was any team willing to meet the Marlins' asking price, it should be the Orioles. They have the prospect capital to make the deal, and after going a year without legitimately addressing the rotation, now is the time.