Even after trading for Tyler Glasnow and signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a record-setting contract, the Los Angeles Dodgers remain in search of another starting pitcher.
One of the top available arms is Dylan Cease, who has been linked to the Dodgers at various points throughout the offseason. The right-hander could be on the move as the Chicago White Sox undergo a rebuild, though a trade is not considered a certainty.
While the Dodgers have expressed interest in the right-hander, they are not believed to be as motivated to acquire him after signing Yamamoto. The White Sox are placing a high cost on Cease, and no team has been willing to meet their asking price so far.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Dodgers considered the possibility of a Cease trade to then immediately send him to another team for prospects:
They continued talking to the White Sox afterward, but their trade with the Cubs indicated they were looking for future value. They discussed flipping Cease to another club — the Orioles were one possibility — and acquiring prospects that way.
The scenario was floated before the Dodgers traded Yency Almonte and Michael Busch to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for prospects Jackson Ferris and Zyhir Hope. Busch was reportedly included in some of L.A.’s trade offers for Cease.
Had the Dodgers completed a trade for Cease, the Baltimore Orioles would have been a logical trading partner due to their need for a frontline starter and deep farm system.
The Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets and New York Yankees are among the other teams that have been connected to Cease this offseason.
After a breakout season in 2022, Cease regressed last year as he went 7-9 with a 4.58 ERA, 3.72 FIP and 1.42 WHIP. He was hurt by a struggling White Sox defense that ranked the worst in baseball, so a change of scenery could potentially benefit him.
Cease is under team control through the 2025 season by way of salary arbitration. Thus, any team that acquires him would have Cease in their rotation for two full seasons.
Dylan Cease trade unlikely
With less than one month until pitchers and catchers report, Cease isn’t likely to be the centerpiece of a deal if the White Sox don’t lower their asking price. Teams have been reluctant to meet the high price tag, which may keep the right-hander in Chicago until the trade deadline or longer.
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