MLB Rumors: Red Sox, Padres Align For Possible Blockbuster Trade Deadline Deal

Boston Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is on the board after completing a trade Wednesday night for St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Steven Matz.

The Boston Globe’s Tim Healey and Masslive.com’s Chris Cotillo report the Red Sox will use Matz as a multi-inning reliever out of the bullpen.

As a result, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reports the “Red Sox could attempt to land both a starter and reliever, even after dealing for Matz.” MLB.com’s Ian Browne thinks another starter makes sense for Boston. 

“The Yankees, Astros, Red Sox, Cubs and Blue Jays are among the contenders who could be in the market for a high-end rental starter,” ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez reported Thursday.

Could that person be San Diego Padres right-hander Dylan Cease?

“With the market at a standstill for controllable starters, the Red Sox might shift their interest to rental starters, and San Diego’s Dylan Cease is available,” The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey reported Wednesday.

“(Padres GM A.J.) Preller could force (Breslow)’s hand,” McCaffrey added. “Preller is known to be aggressive. He also seems willing to be creative, potentially trading from his departing pitchers — Cease and closer Robert Suarez — to address his team’s need for offense.”

On top of that, The Athletic’s Dennis Lin reports the Padres are looking for a major-league ready outfielder before Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET trade deadline, while noting San Diego is “working with limited financial flexibility.”

“(The) Astros are among team trying to land Dylan Cease,” the New York Post’s Jon Heyman added Wednesday.

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.