Are the Padres considering trading their 23-year-old star this offseason?
The San Diego Padres, after falling short of the World Series, are reportedly planning to reduce their projected $215 million payroll for the upcoming season.
According to Kevin Acee of the *San Diego Union-Tribune*, one surprising move under consideration is trading away their ace pitcher, Dylan Cease.
Acee notes that while no deal appears imminent, discussions have progressed beyond casual inquiries. League sources describe the talks as ranging from the Padres actively “trying to unload Cease” to simply being “open to” trading the right-hander.
San Diego acquired Cease from the struggling Chicago White Sox during Spring Training last season, giving up four top prospects—Steven Wilson, Drew Thorpe, Jairo Iriarte, and Samuel Zavala—for the 28-year-old pitcher.
Dylan Cease, a six-year MLB veteran, finished fourth in the 2024 National League Cy Young voting after posting a 14-11 record with a 3.47 ERA and 224 strikeouts for the Padres.
Cease was the cornerstone of San Diego’s pitching staff, but Kevin Acee pointed out that trading him could provide the Padres with much-needed help in left field, at designated hitter, or with prospects that could be flipped in another deal.
Acee also reported that the Padres are actively pursuing Japanese pitching star Roki Sasaki, who was recently posted to MLB, and are optimistic about adding another mid-level starter to their rotation.
