Cubs add left-hander Garrett in trade with Marlins
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CHICAGO – The Cubs headed into the Trade Deadline not only searching for an impact starter to help the rotation immediately, but with the goal of continuing to strengthen the rotation’s depth chart. The North Siders have found one potential answer for the latter.
After pulling off a big-ticket deal to land starter Kevin Gausman from the Blue Jays on Sunday night, Chicago continued its search for arms by finalizing a deal with the Marlins to acquire lefty Braxton Garrett in exchange for two prospects: first baseman Jonathon Long (No. 10 on Pipeline’s Top 30 list for the Cubs) and righty Jace Beck (No. 28).
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The Cubs and Marlins also teamed up over the offseason on a deal that brought right-hander Edward Cabrera to Chicago.
TRADE DETAILS
Cubs get: LHP Braxton Garrett
Marlins get: 1B/OF Jonathon Long, RHP Jace Beck
In Garrett, the Cubs would be adding a 28-year-old lefty who has had Major League success, but more recently has been trying to find his footing after a comeback from surgery on his left elbow in December 2024. Garrett -- selected seventh overall in the 2016 MLB Draft -- has spent the bulk of this season with Triple-A Jacksonville.
Across 16 appearances (15 starts) at Triple-A this season, Garrett has a 2.90 ERA with 83 strikeouts against 29 walks in 77 2/3 innings. He made a pair of starts for the Marlins in May with rough results (resulting in a combined 14.54 ERA) and has remained in the Minors since those outings.
Under contract on a one-year, $1.53 million deal, Garrett has one Minor League option year remaining and is under team control through 2028. He has pitched in parts of six seasons with the Marlins and enjoyed his best showing in ‘23, when he logged 4.3 bWAR with a 3.66 ERA and 156 strikeouts against 29 walks in 159 2/3 innings.
Beyond Gausman, the Cubs’ rotation in the Majors includes Matthew Boyd, Shota Imanaga, David Peterson, Colin Rea and Javier Assad. Cabrera is on the 15-day IL with a left hamstring/adductor strain, but he began a Minor League rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Friday and projects to return later this month.