MLB Trade Rumors: Red Sox Match With NL West Club For Top Pitching Target
Dylan Cease, come on down, you’re the next contestant on “The Price (May Be) Right.” The San Diego Padres are shopping the right-handed pitcher ahead of Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline and the Boston Red Sox could be in the mix.
“The buzz from the #MLB GM Community believe that the starting pitching market is robust and moving fast including: Sandy Alcantara, Dylan Cease, Mackenzie Gore, Joe Ryan, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly & Mitch Keller … it’s going to be a fascinating 47 hours,” The Athletic’s Jim Bowden posted Tuesday on X.
“There are a number of contenders looking for a frontline starting pitcher — Mets, Cubs, Red Sox, etc. — but the prices on two of the most prominent starters mentioned, the Twins’ Joe Ryan and the Padres’ Dylan Cease, remain extremely high, in the minds of some evaluators,” ESPN’s Buster Olney reported Tuesday.
“Heard (Tuesday) if the Padres trade a prominent pitcher — like Dylan Cease or Robert Suárez — their preference is to acquire an MLB left fielder and/or catcher in return, as opposed to prospects,” MLB Network’s Jon Morosi wrote on X.
“Dylan Cease .. remains in many trade talks,” the New York Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed Wednesday.
“Both (the Yankees and Mets) talked to the Padres about Dylan Cease, who seems eminently available,” Heyman added. “Some believe the Padres would actually prefer to move the free-agent-to-be.”
Cease, 29, is 3-10 with a 4.79 ERA this season in 22 starts. Last year, his first in San Diego, Cease tied his career high with 14 wins.
Durability and power are Cease’s modus operandi. He’s made at least 32 starts and recorded at least 200 strikeouts in each of the last four seasons. This year, he leads the majors with 11.6 strikeouts per nine innings pitched.
According to Spotrac, Cease is making $13.75 million this year and will be a free agent following the World Series.
The Red Sox need starting pitching after losing Hunter Dobbins to a season-ending torn ACL and placing Tanner Houck back on the injured list.