Are the Padres still shopping Dylan Cease?
Credit: AP Photo
Are the San Diego Padres still taking offers on right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease?
Undoubtedly, the San Diego Padres are a team that thinks outside the box.
If there is one thing A.J. Preller is known for, it’s being creative.
It seems the Padres are at the center of every major rumor these days as Preller continues his quest to bring a World Series trophy to San Diego. This winter has been rough for the fans as the Padres lost out on Roki Sasaki. The franchise is also battling through ownership drama that is still being worked out.
The winter started quietly as the team made no major additions to the roster.
Just when you thought the Padres were not going to make any moves, the team signed Nick Pivetta, Connor Joe, Jason Heyward, Yuli Gurriel, and Gavin Sheets. None of these players are perennial all-stars, but they are major league veterans. The signing of Nick Pivetta could be useful for several reasons.
The Padres inked Pivetta to a creative four-year, $55 million deal. One which pays the veteran pitcher $1 million for 2025 (after a $4 million signing bonus). He will make $19 million next season, and then there is an option for the pitcher if he wants to leave after the 2026 season. There is even an opt-out after the 2027 season for the pitcher.
Pivetta at $1 million for the books in 2025 is a steal for San Diego. They also secured his services for the 2026 season, which is helpful as the team will likely lose Dylan Cease in the coming winter. Michael King could also leave via free agency as he holds a mutual option for the 2026 season. Losing both pitchers would be difficult, but Pivetta certainly softens the potential blow.
At the moment, the current pitching rotation consists of Cease, King, Yu Darvish, and Pivetta. The last spot in the rotation is a battle between Matt Waldron, Stephen Kolek, Kyle Hart, Randy Vasquez, and Jhony Brito. There are options for the Padres, and there are still rumors that the team is willing to move Dylan Cease.
Cease is a Scott Boras client and will explore free agency in the winter. The Padres simply cannot afford the pitcher, and it may be wise to move him now when there is still solid trade value.
The list of suitors for Dylan Cease is well documented.
The Mets, Braves, Orioles, and Twins have all reportedly shown varying degrees of interest in the pitcher. There are likely a few other teams interested in Cease.
As the spring season winds down, the Padres fully understand that they hold all the cards when it comes to trading Dylan Cease. Preller and the Padres made it clear what they would require; now, it is up to one of these teams to pay the asking price. The Padres are not desperate to make a move, but if the right deal comes along- they will listen. They will pull the trigger.
The Padres are looking for a young, controllable pitcher in return for Cease. They also require a few offensive weapons to add to the mix. Preller is savvy when it comes to cherry-picking young talent from other farm systems, and the Padres could easily gain some useful players in a trade of Dylan Cease.
It will come down to desperation for one of these potential trade partners. It is a game of chicken, and the Padres are poised to stay on the course.
The Padres have depth in their starting staff. Losing Cease would hurt the rotation. There is no denying that.
However, if the Padres obtained a pitcher who could put up similar numbers and be under contract for a few more seasons, then the risk is worth it. Especially when you factor in the other potential pieces the Padres would acquire in a Cease deal. Multiple players would help strengthen the roster in San Diego.
Keep tabs on this situation. A.J. Preller is surely fielding calls daily about his players. He wouldn’t have it any other way. The Padres may not necessarily be shopping Dylan Cease, but they are always listening to offers now that teams understand the asking price for the ace pitcher.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. James has written about the Padres and their prospects for over a decade. He also writes about San Diego State as well as other local sports. James is the Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.