Matching up the Mets and Padres in a Dylan Cease trade

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A look at what it would take for the New York Mets to acquire Dylan Cease from the San Diego Padres. 

The San Diego Padres are rumored to be shopping right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease.

There is no shortage of suitors for the ace-like pitcher. The Cubs, Mets, Orioles, and Twins are all expressing interest. In a piece about the Cubs, we examined exactly what the Padres may be looking for in return for Cease. The Cubs may be hesitant to pay the asking price, but anything can happen as clubs finalize their rosters before the spring.

In this piece, let us examine the New York Mets and what they have to offer for Cease.

There is no doubt the Mets are built to win now. Signing Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million deal proves they are not messing around. Nothing short of a World Series Championship is acceptable.

Dylan Cease would be an excellent addition for the Mets as they look to upgrade their starting rotation.

The price tag may be hefty for a one-year rental, but Cease is making only $13.75 million in the last year of his contract. That is a deal. The Mets also have the funds to potentially sign the pitcher to a long-term deal, and having him in camp for the 2025 season may be all they need to make that happen.

In examining the Mets roster, there are several young players who make sense for the Padres. At this time, Preller and the Padres are looking for players under team control. With almost a billion dollars committed to a handful of players, they must think outside the box to upgrade their roster.

Trading Cease may not be the most palatable thing for Padres fans, but you must think of the long run.

San Diego has the ability to add a few prospect-type players who could very well flourish with the Padres. At this point, the Padres cannot afford to sign Cease to a long-term deal. It may be the wisest decision to trade him now while the return could still be fruitful.

The Padres would most likely want at least one pitcher in return for Cease—someone who is major league-ready. Jose Butto and Tylor Megill makes sense in that regard.

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Megill is 29 and has four years of service at the major league level. In that time, the right-handed pitcher owns a 21-21 record with a 4.56 ERA and a 1.392 WHIP. He has started 67 games during that span, including 15 last year for New York. He went 4-5 last season with a 4,04 ERA and a 1.308 WHIP in 78 innings pitched. Megill is a free agent after the 2027 season, and that helps the Padres as they look to save money.

Butto is 26 and debuted in 2022 (but barely pitched), and holds three years of service time at the major league level. The native of Venezuela went 7-3 last season with a 2.55 ERA and a 1.068 WHIP in 30 games and seven starts for New York. Butto is under control through the 2030 season, and that is great for San Diego. The Padres need arms who are under control to help keep their payroll down for the coming seasons.

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On the offensive side, the Mets could entice the Padres with Luisangel Acuna. The brother of Ronald Acuna Jr. is 22 and made an impressive debut last year for the Mets. Acuna is an infielder and started 10 games last year at shortstop for the Mets. He showed great instincts on the field and a quick first step. His offensive numbers have never looked overly impressive in five minor league seasons, but the right-handed hitter put up a .966 OPS last year for the Mets in a very small sample size.

Acuna is looked at as a vital member of the team for the future, and New York is making that known. But the reality is his numbers were wildly inflated last season, and they may be looking to trade him while his value is at an all-time high. Acuna owns a .752 OPS in a little over 2,000 minor-league at-bats. Is that his real value, or did the young Venezuelan unlock something last season while playing at the major league level? There is risk here, but it may be enticing enough for the Padres to take a chance on.

Jett Williams is a shortstop and is the Mets’ top prospect. He was drafted in the first round (14th overall) of the 2022 draft out of high school in Texas. The Padres may be interested, but he looks to be a season or two away from major league service time. At this point, Leodalis De Vries and Williams are on the same path. The Padres arguably would not see Williams as a potential fit. It is safe to say that Acuna is arguably the better addition for the Padres.

Would the Mets approve a deal consisting of Jose Butto and Luisangel Acuna? Probably so. But you have to think the Padres want more.

Where there is smoke, there is fire. These two sides make sense, but the Padres seem to be holding off until they get their asking price. The Mets are a potential fit, but only A.J. Preller and his staff know exactly what they are looking for in return for Dylan Cease.

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