The trade chatter in Major League Baseball is reaching a fever pitch as the San Diego Padres and New York Mets are reportedly in talks to acquire the talented pitcher Dylan Cease.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Mets have their eyes firmly fixed on securing Cease from the Padres, and the Chicago Cubs have also entered the conversation, though it seems the Padres are leaning toward accepting an offer from New York.
Cease’s Contract and Trade Rumors
Recently, Cease has taken a significant step by locking in a one-year contract with the Padres valued at $13.75 million for the 2025 season.
This move neatly avoids arbitration.
For the 29-year-old pitcher, this season is especially crucial, as he will be eligible for unrestricted free agency following the 2025 campaign, marking the end of his arbitration years.
Cease’s name has been a hot topic throughout the offseason, with many speculating about his potential availability in the trade market.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand has included him among the starting pitchers likely to move teams this winter.
Interest from Multiple Teams
But the Mets and Cubs aren’t the only teams interested in Cease.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi previously reported that the Boston Red Sox are also keeping a close watch on the right-hander, looking to add him to their roster.
Highlighting the potential deal, Heyman noted that the Padres could be intrigued by the Mets’ array of prospects.
Key names on the table include pitcher Brandon Sproat, infielder Luisangel Acuña, and shortstop Jett Williams.
Sproat and Williams stand out on MLB’s top 100 prospects list for 2025, securing the No. 46 and No. 58 spots, respectively.
Cease’s Performance and Future
Cease began his career with the Chicago White Sox, where he played for five seasons before joining the Padres in March 2024.
Since then, he has established himself in San Diego’s pitching rotation.
Last season, he delivered an impressive performance, finishing with a 14-11 record, a 3.47 ERA, and a remarkable 1.067 WHIP.
His efforts on the mound earned him recognition in the form of the fourth-most votes received for the National League Cy Young Award, as he struck out 224 batters over 189.1 innings.
As the Mets look to build on their remarkable run to the National League Championship Series in 2024, their pursuit of Dylan Cease adds a thrilling dimension to the offseason narrative.
With the stakes rising, fans can hardly wait to see how this trade saga will play out!
