Despite Strong Trade Interest, White Sox Ace Dylan Cease Set to Begin Spring Training in Chicago?

The Chicago White Sox may have “ceased” a trade plan. Ever since the offseason began, there were rumblings that Dylan Cease was available for a trade. With two years remaining in his contract, interest began building up for the ace, making everyone believe that a trade was imminent. But now the winds of change might have started flowing in the Windy City. 

The White Sox have already put a pretty hefty price on Cease. So while a trade would benefit them, there’s a belief that waiting might give them an even bigger advantage. With spring training right around the corner, is there a chance for Cease to remain a White Sox when it starts? 

Top Insider predicts a surprising White Sox strategy for Dylan Cease 

Jon Morosi recently joined WGNTV’s Joel Liberatore. Noting how the market is surprisingly robust despite being so near to the Spring Training, the talk shifted to Dylan Cease. It was here that Morosi made a surprising prediction – Cease could enter the Spring Training as a part of the White Sox roster. His reasons were simple. 

“Chris Getz has kept a pretty high price tag for Dylan Cease. Perhaps banking on the fact that if you get into the season and he goes out and has a great first half. Then you might be able to move him in the deadline for even more prospects,” Morosi said.

Morosi was quick to point out that despite being favorites since the beginning, the Baltimore Orioles have still been unable to strike a deal for Cease. This could point towards the White Sox being slightly unwilling to trade their ace right now, especially as the team is looking to bounce back after a terrible 101-loss season in 2023. 

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This strategy could doubly benefit the ChiSox. For instance, they’ll get to use Cease till July, which can help their results provided the ace remains fit. Simultaneously, deadline trades have always been ones filled with desperation. This could put the White Sox in the driver’s seat and give them better talent. So if this comes to pass, where will it leave the potential suitors?

A forced Ceasefire for the suitors

The biggest names attached to Cease are the Orioles and the Boston Red Sox. With a vast wealth of prospects in their wing, the O’s position is relatively safe. But this could worry the Red Sox. Boston Globe’s Alex Speier recently reported that BoSox is interested in trades but has apprehensions regarding using their premium prospects for it. 

This is worrisome as the White Sox have remained adamant in their demand for premium prospects. Meeting that demand becomes even more important now that the ChiSox have shown their willingness to keep Cease in their roster. So as it stands, the Cease trade may have seen a slight ceasefire.

Read more: Baltimore Orioles’ Ace Desire Affirmed, as Dylan Cease Rumors Build Despite Hefty Asking Price