At various points throughout the offseason the Los Angeles Dodgers have been mentioned among the teams with interest in completing a Dylan Cease trade with the Chicago White Sox.
Even after acquiring Tyler Glasnow and signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a record-setting contract, the Dodgers still have a need for one more starting pitcher. They also possess the necessary prospect capital to entice the White Sox on a Cease trade.
But one of the Dodgers’ trade chips is no longer part of the organization as Michael Busch was packaged with Yency Almonte to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for prospects Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope.
Prior to that deal being completed last week, the Dodgers included Busch in Cease trade scenarios, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic
Before trading infielder Michael Busch to the Chicago Cubs, the Dodgers included him in some of their offers to the White Sox for Cease, according to sources briefed on the discussions.
Busch made his MLB debut last season but never gained much traction with the Dodgers or appeared to fit well on their roster. Thus it came as a surprise the Dodgers did not attempt to trade Busch at the 2023 deadline, when he was in the midst of putting together an impressive season with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
General manager Brandon Gomes had recently indicated Busch and Miguel Vargas — another of the Dodgers’ presumed trade pieces — could see time in left field this season. That probability was effectively eliminated with the signing of Teoscar Hernández to a contract for the 2024 season.
Backing away from Dylan Cease trade?
Although the Dodgers stand to benefit from adding another established starter to their rotation, they reportedly are no longer quite as inclined to pursue a Cease trade due to signing Yamamoto.
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