We're keeping tracking of the latest news and trade rumors surrounding Dylan Cease, who is a candidate to be dealt prior to the July 31 Trade Deadline.
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July 25: Padres made blockbuster trade proposal to Red Sox involving Cease, Duran (report)
The Padres, who have had reported interest in Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran for months, proposed an offer to the Red Sox for the 28-year-old that would have sent starting pitcher Dylan Cease, catcher Ethan Salas (MLB's No. 21 prospect) and another prospect to Boston. However, according to Sean McAdam of MassLive.com (subscription required), the Red Sox "quickly rejected" the deal.
Boston's pursuit of prominent starting pitchers goes beyond Cease. McAdam adds that the club recently contacted the Marlins regarding right-hander Sandy Alcantara, a pitcher who interests the Padres as well. More >
July 24: Padres interested in Alcantara, open to moving Cease (reports)
Cease out, Sandy Alcantara in? It’s one scenario in play for the Padres as the Trade Deadline looms and general manager A.J. Preller looks to thread the needle.
According to multiple reports, including one from MLB Network insider Jon Heyman (subscription required) on Thursday, the Padres are willing to entertain trade offers for Cease. Per Heyman, the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, Mets, Blue Jays and Rays have talked to the Padres about the right-hander.
Cease first arose as a possible trade candidate when ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez wrote Tuesday that Preller could look to deal from the team’s crop of pending free agents as a way to reallocate resources and address other needs, while operating with a tight budget and thin farm system. ESPN's Buster Olney echoed that sentiment on Wednesday while reporting that Cease had emerged as a “surprise name in the starting pitcher market.”
Left field is arguably the Padres' biggest need, which is why the team has been linked to the Red Sox's Jarren Duran and the Guardians' Steven Kwan.
However, if the Padres trade Cease and still intend to contend in 2025, they are going to need a replacement starter. That’s where Alcantara could come in. The Padres are one of the many teams that have inquired about the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner, The Athletic's Dennis Lin (subscription required) reported on Wednesday night after Alcantara had one of his best starts of the season against San Diego, with Cease as the opposing starter no less.
Alcantara would not only take Cease’s spot in the Padres’ rotation this year but also potentially help out for two more seasons beyond 2025. While Cease is in his final year before free agency, Alcantara's contract runs through next season and includes a 2027 club option. Alcantara has a slightly higher salary ($17 million) than Cease ($13.75 million) this year, though that will amount to a difference of less than $1.1 million over the final two months of 2025.