Owen Caissie Doing His Best to Make Cubs Regret Marlins Trade

This offseason, the Chicago Cubs got quite aggressive in ramping up their roster, which included dealing away part of their future when top prospect Owen Caissie was dealt to the Miami Marlins in order to acquire Edward Cabrera to bolster the starting rotation.

Cabrera has been nearly picture-perfect in his first start for the Cubs: six full innings, one measly hit, no earned runs, complemented by five strikeouts. However, Chicago's offense has been mediocre at best, while Caissie couldn't look stronger.

Caissie has easily put himself in talks for National League Rookie of the Year (yes, we know the season just started) as he's led the Marlins to the No. 1 spot in the NL East while the Cubs sit under .500.

Miami Marlins right fielder Owen Caissie | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

It isn't just how well Caissie looks at the plate, but also that the Cubs are in dire need of another outfielder as Seiya Suzuki still sits on the injured list with a knee sprain. Cabrera is already proving to be an excellent addition, but maybe someone else should have been dealt.

Caissie amongst NL rookies

At this point, Caissie is batting .350, while slugging .600. His on-base percentage is over .390, bringing his OPS to .991. He leads all rookies with eight runners brought home, and, more impressively, that ties him for second amongst all players in the league.

OWEN CAISSIE HITS A WALK-OFF HOME RUN TO WIN IT FOR MIAMI 🚨#Marlins
pic.twitter.com/93bGFROabD
— Milb Central (@milb_central) March 29, 2026

He found his first long ball of the season against the Rockies, which wasn't just a two-run 400-foot bomb, but it came in the bottom of the ninth when the Marlins were down a run. Caissie's first walk-off homer of his career.

Right now, it is looking like one of the top battles between a trio of rookies: Caissie, TJ Rumfield (Rockies), and Sal Stewart (Reds). Obviously, it is quite early into the season, but these three are performing better than any player currently on the Cubs.

Early struggles for the Cubs' bats

In players who've taken part in the first six games, Chicago has one player with an OPS nearing 1.000, Ian Happ, with a .946. Happ has hit three bombs in his five hits, but he is only batting .208 and leads the team in strikeouts (9).

There are six starters who are hitting over .200, but only one batting over .300, with Nico Hoerner at .318 — well under Caissie's .350.

It isn't a major concern for the Cubs right now, but this roster, on paper, is built to win the NL Central and make a deep run in October. However, they sure don't look ready to do that, even after last night's 6-2 win over the Angels.

If Caissie were still a part of the team, it would definitely help their cause.