In March 2024, the San Diego Padres acquired right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox in a significant trade aimed at bolstering their starting rotation. The deal involved sending pitching prospects Drew Thorpe and Jairo Iriarte, outfielder Samuel Zavala, and reliever Steven Wilson to Chicago. Cease, who finished second in the 2022 American League Cy Young Award voting, had a challenging 2023 season with a 4.58 ERA but remained a coveted asset due to his high strikeout rates and potential for a rebound.
As the 2025 season progresses, the Padres are reportedly exploring the possibility of trading Cease, primarily due to concerns about their ability to retain him beyond his current contract, which expires after this season. The Padres are seeking multiple controllable players in return, including starting pitchers, to address their roster needs and manage payroll constraints. This strategy reflects the organization’s recognition of the challenges in securing a long-term extension with Cease and the desire to maximize his value before he reaches free agency.
In the event of trading Cease, the Padres have a contingency plan to reallocate the anticipated $13.7 million savings from his projected arbitration salary. The team could invest these funds into acquiring mid-level starting pitchers or addressing other roster areas through free agency. Potential targets might include pitchers like José Quintana or Kyle Gibson, or even a reunion with outfielder Jurickson Profar. This approach aims to maintain the team’s competitiveness while managing financial flexibility and addressing multiple roster needs.
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