BREAKING: NL Central Contender to Land $8 Million Ace in Blockbuster Trade
The specific timing of that event is uncertain.
“In all honesty, I am unsure about our current position in the process,” stated the general manager. “I’m optimistic that it will happen within the upcoming week. However, it’s hard to predict. You can never be certain.”
“Sonny Gray was a valuable acquisition for St. Louis, but the deals for Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn, structured as ‘one year plus a club option,’ come across as temporary fixes that may not be successful,” he remarked. “The Cardinals do have promising pitching prospects in their system with Tink Hence and Tekoah Roby, both selected in the 2020 draft, but it is likely that they are at least a year away from being ready for the rotation.”
As per Spotrac, Cease is due to earn $8 million in 2024. His appeal to potential suitors is further enhanced by the fact that he is not eligible for free agency until after the 2025 season.
Cease aims to recapture his stellar form from 2022
The right-handed pitcher has drawn significant trade interest despite a subpar performance in 2023. Although he posted a 7-9 record with a 4.58 ERA, a 1.42 WHIP, and 214 strikeouts over 33 starts and 177 innings, he managed to surpass the 200-strikeout mark for the third consecutive year. Despite his higher ERA and WHIP compared to the previous year, it’s worth noting his consistent ability to reach the 200-strikeout milestone.
Additionally, when examining advanced metrics, his Fielder Independent Pitching (FIP) for 2023 stood at 3.72, as reported by FanGraphs. This, coupled with his high strikeout numbers and durability spanning three consecutive seasons of 30 or more starts, has piqued the interest of various teams. Furthermore, teams are enticed by his demonstrated potential showcased in the 2022 season.
During his career-best 184 innings pitched in 2022, Cease recorded a stellar 2.20 ERA, a 1.11 WHIP, and 227 strikeouts. These impressive stats led to him securing the second position in the American League Cy Young Award race and the 22nd spot in the AL MVP Award voting.
The White Sox are standing their ground on the price they are seeking in negotiations for potential trades
Chicago GM Chris Getz has indicated that Dylan Cease is open for trade discussions, but the White Sox won’t give him away easily. They are willing to wait due to Cease’s current free agency timeline, hoping to secure a strong package of prospects in exchange.
According to a report by Bob Nightengale from USA Today on January 7, the White Sox have engaged in talks with the Yankees, Orioles, and Dodgers regarding Cease but are not close to a deal. They are holding out for two premium prospects and two others in return. If their demands aren’t met, they are prepared to keep Cease on their roster until they receive an offer that meets their expectations.
As March approaches, there’s no sign that Chicago has softened their stance. Despite the Orioles attempting to trade for Cease with a package later used for Corbin Burnes, the White Sox declined. The Yankees remain interested in Cease, but Getz and the team are firm on including top prospect Spencer Jones in any potential deal.
