MLB Trade Buzz: Four Frontrunners Emerge in Renewed Dylan Cease Sweepstakes

As Michael Scott once said – “How the turn tables!”  A few days ago reports came out that the Chicago White Sox were heading into the season with Dylan Cease after teams failed to make an attractive offer for him. While at the time, it seemed quite feasible – suddenly a few things happened. The injury crisis befell upon the league and in the blink of an eye, the White Sox are turning someone else’s crisis into an opportunity.

Multiple teams have inquired about Cease in the past few months. However, the talks have always ended after the White Sox’s demands were deemed too high. The two years left in Cease’s deal were partly the reason for those demands. Now as it stands, teams like the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers are once again ready to negotiate. One of them might have already taken a few massive steps forward.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal has made a few bombshell revelations in his recent report. While talking about Dylan Cease’s potential trade, Rosenthal shared how he was informed that the Rangers recently had some big talks with the White Sox for Cease. And according to the Dallas Morning News – the talks were good enough that the White Sox scouts “descended in droves upon Rangers camp this week.” 

The Rangers were previously linked with their 2023 hero Jordan Montgomery. However, the high costs of signing Monty led to the talks stalling. The fact that Cease’s salary will just be $8 million this year has made him a far more likely target for the Rangers. But the White Sox’s demands remain high – they want three top prospects. One of them could be Ezequiel Durian, the utility player who had a breakout season in 2023. However while the Lone Stars may seem ahead, there are three more teams just as close as them.

Interest in Dylan Cease rises across the league

Gerrit Cole‘s elbow issues have hit the Yankees like a brick. With his MRI reports still awaited, the Pinstripes are looking to find a replacement for their ace. Their Cease preference has been apparent for a long time but earlier the talks ended due to their disinterest in trading Spencer Jones. Could desperation make them turn?

On the other hand, the San Diego Padres need a starting pitcher. The team’s bullpen is strong but the absence of a quality rotation makes things complicated. Notably like the Rangers, the ChiSox scouts have visited the Friars’ camp as well. So the interest in a trade does seem mutual here. Then there’s the St. Louis Cardinals.

The Cards have strengthened their bullpen and rotation with signings like Sonny Gray. Yet there’s space available for Dylan Cease. The recent hamstring struggles of Gray have shown that depth of any kind is better than having nothing. Could they be the one? In the end, the Cease story has certainly become a lot more interesting now. 

Read more: Top Teams Interested in Dylan Cease? Thin Pitcher Market Impacts White Sox Ace’s Trade Value