While all of the excitement around the New York Yankees’ offseason has been centered on replacing one more hole in the infield following Gleyber Torres’ departure, nothing has transpired. Could general manager Brian Cashman take a different approach and get another ace by trading for San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease?
The Yankees have previously expressed interest in the right-hander. They were interested in trading for him last winter, before the Chicago White Sox traded him to San Diego. Cease started 30 or more games for the fourth consecutive year in 2024, finishing 14-11 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 224 strikeouts in 189 1/3 innings thrown.
Despite being a vital component of the Padres’ puzzle last season, his name has been circulating in the trade rumor mill again. FanSided’s Thomas Carannante believes the Bombers should make a deal if they can’t find a way to improve the offense.
“What’s stopping the Yankees from offering (starting pitcher) Clarke Schmidt, (outfielder) Everson Pereira and (infielder) Jorbit Vivas?” Carannante wrote. “Or some variation of that where the Padres replenish Cease’s spot in the rotation and get prospect value for the infield/outfield after the departures of Ha-Seong Kim and Jurickson Profar?”
Schmidt had a 2.85 ERA in 85 1/3 innings for New York in 2024 and isn’t available for free agency until 2028. MLB.com ranks Pereira as the Yankees’ 11th-best prospect, while Vivas had a.713 OPS in 422 Triple-A plate appearances last season.
Cease is projected to make $13.75 million this season and will be eligible for free agency next offseason. Spotrac estimates his current market value for a long-term contract at five years and $108 million.
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