The Chicago Cubs went star hunting this offseason, adding Kyle Tucker. However, if the team wants to build long-term success over the next few months into the postseason, that doesn’t mean they have to go after star names.
There will be many arms available that the casual fan might not know about, and one of them could be Anthony Bender of the Miami Marlins. The Marlins are expected to make everybody available, and with Bender throwing the baseball the way he has, it’s the perfect time to trade him from Miami’s perspective.
Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report predicted he’d be one of 10 players traded at the deadline, adding that his team control through the 2027 season could be a factor for interested ball clubs. “Bender utilizes a sinker, slider, changeup combination, while occasionally mixing in a mid-90s four-seam fastball. He missed all of 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery, and then posted a 4.08 ERA across 59 games a season ago. However, Bender’s 2.92 FIP in 2024 suggests he was unlucky, and he’s gotten positive results so far in 2025.
“What makes Bender particularly attractive for teams in need of set-up help is that he’s under team control through the 2027 season. With two additional years of arbitration control after 2025, Bender will draw widespread interest this summer,” Kelly wrote. From the Cubs’ perspective, this could be a good chance to try to trade for Sandy Alcantara and Bender.
During the 2025 campaign, Bender has posted a 1.23 ERA in 7.1 innings pitched. He’s only struck out three hitters, which is down from his 59 strikeouts in 53 innings last season, but if his strikeout rate improves, he’d bring this team plenty of value.
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