MIAMI — The Miami Marlins reshaped both their pitching depth and future lineup on Monday, acquiring right‑hander Jace Beck and first baseman Jonathon Long from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for left‑handed pitcher Braxton Garrett. The deal delivers Miami two of Chicago’s most productive upper‑level prospects while sending a former first‑round pick and longtime Marlins starter to the Cubs.
Beck Arrives as Strikeout Machine With Upper-Minors Momentum
Beck, 26, has emerged as one of the most dominant strikeout arms in the Cubs’ system this season. Ranked No. 28 by MLB Pipeline, the 6‑foot‑9 right‑hander leads all Cubs minor leaguers with 116 strikeouts across 25 appearances (nine starts) between Double‑A Knoxville and Triple‑A Iowa.
Across 74.2 innings, Beck owns a 6–3 record, 3.62 ERA, and a 35.0% strikeout rate, the highest in Chicago’s farm system. His breakout included a spectacular June in which he was named Southern League Pitcher of the Month, posting a 0.47 ERA with 36 strikeouts in 19 innings.
Beck missed the 2024 season following Tommy John surgery but has rebounded with one of the strongest campaigns of his career. Originally drafted by the Mets in the 22nd round in 2019, he spent five seasons in New York’s system before signing with Chicago as a minor league free agent last November. Across six minor league seasons, he owns a 4.41 ERA and 306 strikeouts in 202 innings.
Long Brings Middle-of-the-Order Potential and Extra-Base Power
Long, 24, ranked No. 10 in the Cubs’ system and MLB Pipeline’s No. 7 first base prospect, has been one of Triple‑A Iowa’s most productive hitters in 2026. He is batting .283/.364/.455 with 112 hits, 62 RBI, 67 runs, and 12 home runs across 99 games. His 30 doubles lead the Cubs organization, rank second in Triple‑A, and sit tied for fifth among all full‑season minor leaguers.
Long’s breakout began in 2025, when he was named the Buck O’Neil Cubs Minor League Player of the Year after leading the International League with 157 hits and finishing among the league leaders in total bases, runs, walks, RBI, and OBP. He earned both International League Postseason All‑Star and Baseball America Triple‑A All‑Star honors.
Selected in the ninth round of the 2023 draft out of Long Beach State, Long owns a career .291 average, .861 OPS, 56 home runs, and 237 RBI across 379 minor league games.
Garrett Heads to Chicago After Six Seasons in Miami Rotation
Garrett, 28, has been a steady contributor for Miami since debuting in 2020. This season at Triple‑A Jacksonville, he posted a 4–4 record, 2.90 ERA, 83 strikeouts, and a 0.98 WHIP across 77.2 innings in 15 starts.
Across six major league seasons with Miami — excluding 2025, which he missed due to Tommy John surgery — Garrett owns a 16–20 record, 4.16 ERA, and 330.2 innings pitched. The Florence, Ala., native was selected seventh overall in the 2016 MLB Draft.
The trade gives Miami a high‑octane strikeout arm and one of Triple‑A’s most productive hitters, while Chicago adds a polished left‑handed starter capable of contributing immediately at the major league level.
