Dylan Cease is the hottest name in trade talks right now, and the Padres are fielding calls left and right. Their $413.75 million ace is on an expiring contract, and teams are circling. But here’s the thing—trading Cease could be a major blunder. He’s a key piece of their rotation, and without him, their playoff hopes could take a serious hit. So, should the Padres cash in or hold their ground?

While the Padres are finding themselves in a dilemma about whether to keep him or let him go, Dylan Cease has made a surprising revelation about remaining with the Padres. Amid the failed attempts to trade him, Cease’s decision to remain with the Padres seems like a good call. That makes sense, given that other teams were eyeing him as well.

San Diego Padres ace pitcher Dylan Cease had a good 2024 season where he made 33 starts and had a 14-11 record with a 3.47 ERA across the 189 1/3 innings he played, along with 4.2 WAR and 224 strikeouts. His performance has sparked significant interest among the other teams; however, the recent updates have put all the rumors under cover. Despite the trade talks, it’s unlikely that any contract involving Dylan Cease will come true. As of March 9, he confirmed, “The fanbase is as electric and passionate as any. The whole city is watching.” Not only does this put an end to all the speculations, but it also displays his loyalty towards the team. But that’s not all!

Dylan Cease even said on the MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, “I love San Diego. It’s an ideal scenario, and I’m grateful to be here.” Going by his statement, he loves playing for the Padres and feels thankful to all the fans who cheer for him and the team. Cease even mentioned that chants of fans create an electrifying moment, which gives them a major boost to perform, and that’s the reason he is keen to play baseball in sunny SoCal. With the opening day approaching soon, the Padres also seem content with the outcome and believe that they could make it big this 2025 season. We all hope so, don’t we?

However, there’s another team that is looking to get Dylan Cease—the Chicago Cubs, maybe?

The Cubs are eyeing the Padres’ ace Dylan Cease to improve their rotation

Amid the reveal made by the San Diego Padres star pitcher Dylan Cease, the Chicago Cubs are looking to make some improvements yet again, just like they did for the past couple of years. Knowing that the National League boasts of several contenders to win the World Series title, making progress is just as challenging as they expect it to be. That’s the reason the Cubs are looking to get the right-hander Dylan Cease from the Padres, given his impressive record in the 2024 season. Cease’s addition could improve their pitching lineup, and the Cubs are ready for negotiations in case the Padres look to trade him. But that doesn’t end here!

Despite having a good starting rotation, the inclusion of the 29-year-old could bolster their roster further, as Cease has been a runner-up for the CY Young Award, too. He also possesses strong hands that can strike out batters quite effectively, and that may give the Cubs an upper hand over their rivals. Moreover, the Cubs have a strong farm system, and in case Cease comes to the Cubs, he may be able to improve his performance further, too.

However, the Padres, on the other hand, are looking to cut down salaries and move pitchers like Michael King and Cease, which may be a great opportunity for the Chicago Cubs. What’s your take on it? Let us know in the comment section below.