# The Cubs want Edward Cabrera to be their Roki Sasaki > A 5.68 ERA and a trade that hasn't paid off sent Edward Cabrera to the bullpen, where the Cubs think he can copy what saved Roki Sasaki. - Title: The Cubs want Edward Cabrera to be their Roki Sasaki - Summary: A 5.68 ERA and a trade that hasn't paid off sent Edward Cabrera to the bullpen, where the Cubs think he can copy what saved Roki Sasaki. A starter with great… - Keywords: mlb, chicago cubs, bullpen, edward cabrera, playoffs, news, local, Cubs, want, Edward, Cabrera, Roki - Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/09/12/why-the-cubs-are-hoping-edward-cabrera-emulates-roki-sasaki-in-move-to-bullpen - Published: 2026-09-12T19:00:51.599+00:00 - Read time: 3 min - Topics: mlb, chicago cubs, bullpen, edward cabrera, playoffs, news, local ## A trade that hasn't paid Cabrera has either been hurt or hit hard since arriving from Miami. The Cubs gave up prospect Owen Caissie in the offseason deal and have gotten almost nothing back. > When pitcher Edward Cabrera hasn't been hurt, he's been ineffective ## Off the IL, into relief The Cubs activated Cabrera on Saturday, but not to start. He goes straight to a bullpen that has been the team's weakest link heading into the final weeks. ## The numbers forcing the move Cabrera has a 5.68 ERA across 76 innings this season. That is not a line a contending team hands the ball to every fifth day in October. ## The Sasaki blueprint Roki Sasaki came to the Dodgers in 2025 with electric stuff and struggled in his first North American season. He got hurt, and returned in September as a reliever. ## Relief salvaged his season The switch turned Sasaki from a disappointment into a weapon, and Los Angeles rode him to a World Series title. > That move salvaged Sasaki's season and helped Los Angeles win the World Series. ## Nine games, 0.84 ERA Sasaki pitched in nine playoff games and gave up one earned run in 10 2/3 innings. He became the extra live arm that carried the Dodgers through October. ## The pitch they made him When the Cubs decided on the bullpen move, they told Cabrera the Sasaki story. Craig Counsell said the comparison landed with the righthander. ## A roadmap, not a demotion Counsell framed the change as an opening rather than a punishment, and pointed to how well the same idea worked in Los Angeles a year ago. > That could happen. That's an example, that's a roadmap to how this can be really successful. ## It started with a blister Cabrera landed on the injured list with a blister on his right middle finger, the latest interruption in a season that never got going. ## The rehab line was ugly During his stint with Triple-A Iowa, Cabrera made three relief appearances and allowed six earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. ## Rhythm is the real test Cabrera is a career starter with two bullpen appearances to his name. He has to trade a known start day for the possibility of pitching at any moment. ## He is buying in Cabrera, speaking through a translator, treated the move as a chance rather than a setback. The Cubs plan to ease him into the role. > I see this as another opportunity, another opportunity to be here, another opportunity to help the team out. ## Tied for the top spot Chicago started Saturday level with the Phillies for the first NL wild card, and with it the right to host the opening best-of-three series. ## Kershaw in the ninth Counsell reached for another precedent: Clayton Kershaw closing out Game 7 of the 2018 NLCS with a scoreless ninth as the Dodgers beat the Brewers 5-1. ## Discomfort is the price Counsell says Cabrera is only the first. Other Cubs will be asked to take unfamiliar jobs, and a few good relief outings could rewrite how Cabrera's 2026 is remembered. > You have to do things you're not used to doing if you want to do great things. It's going to call for that. ## Key takeaway A starter with great stuff and bad results can still win you a playoff series out of the bullpen, but only if he accepts the discomfort of the switch.