The biggest Edward Cabrera question in Yankees trade talks

Brian Cashman acknowledged last month that the Yankees are “vulnerable” at the front of the rotation to begin the season.

Perhaps Edward Cabrera could help solve that predicament, though the biggest knock against him could also give the Yankees some pause in their talks with the Marlins about acquiring the talented right-hander — a possibility that appeared to have lost some steam by Monday.

The Yankees know they will have to hold the fort down in the early going of the regular season as they await the returns of Carlos Rodón, Gerrit Cole and eventually Clarke Schmidt from their respective elbow surgery rehabs — Rodón by late April or early May, Cole by May or June and Schmidt at some point in the second half. That puts a premium on good health and durability from the starters they already have and any other Cashman might be able to land — such as Cabrera, Freddy Peralta or another arm available via trade — the rest of the offseason.

The 27-year-old Cabrera certainly has the high-ceiling upside to pitch near the front of a rotation, coming off a season in which he posted a 3.53 ERA across 26 starts, with 150 strikeouts in 137 ²/₃ innings. But that workload was a career high and limited by two stints on the injured list, first for a blister issue and then, more concerningly, a right elbow sprain. He also missed time in 2023 and 2024 with right shoulder impingement.