The Los Angeles Dodgers have a clear need for starting pitching with general manager Brandon Gomes saying the rotation is a priority for the team by adding at least two starters this offseason.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman echoed that stance as he expects to be more aggressive this year than in previous years, especially with the need for an ace.
Among their search for starting pitchers, the Dodgers will check in on the free agent and trade market that feature many top arms available, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Sonny Gray.
One other name on the Dodgers radar is Dylan Cease as they are engaged in trade discussion with the Chicago White Sox to land the right-hander, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today:
The Los Angeles Dodgers are in trade talks with the Chicago White Sox in an attempt to acquire ace Dylan Cease. The Dodgers badly need pitching help, and the White Sox badly need to rebuild their roster.
White Sox general manager Chris Getz told reporters his club is “open for business” after finishing 61-101 during the 2023 season. The White Sox have numerous holes to fill and a desperate need for an influx of young talent, which the Dodgers certainly have.
Cease enjoyed a breakout season in 2022 when he posted a 2.20 ERA, 3.10 FIP and 1.11 WHIP in 184 innings, which earned him a second-place finish for the American League Cy Young Award. He also fared well the season prior, pitching to a 3.91 ERA, 3.41 FIP and 1.25 WHIP.
The 28-year-old regressed this year as he finished with a 4.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP, along with an AL-worst 259 walks since the start of the 2020 season. However, the White Sox defense was the worst in baseball, so getting him into a better environment should help, as indicated by his 3.72 FIP.
Perhaps more concerning is his fastball velocity declined 1.2 mph from last year and his slider this past season had the highest run value (10) from his arsenal. However, the Dodgers may potentially see a mechanical fix they can adjust to help him get back on track.
Cease is under team control via salary arbitration through the 2025 season, so the Dodgers would be trading for two years of him.
What would a Dylan Cease trade cost the Dodgers?
Despite his down year in 2023, Cease will not come cheap, but it does present an option to buy somewhat low on a talented pitcher. But even buying low on him would likely require the Dodgers to part with at least two of their top prospects with the deal potentially including any of Michael Busch, Miguel Vargas, Diego Cartaya, Emmet Sheehan, Ryan Pepiot and Andy Pages.
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