The New York Yankees have resumed their trade talks with the Chicago White Sox regarding standout pitcher Dylan Cease, as reported by Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
This resurgence in negotiations coincides with concerns over the health of Yankees’ ace Gerrit Cole, who is experiencing discomfort in his pitching elbow, prompting an MRI to assess a potential injury. Consequently, the Yankees are exploring alternatives for an Opening Day starter and appear increasingly inclined to bolster their roster as insurance for their $324 million star pitcher.
Zachary Rotman, writing for FanSided, suggested a trade package consisting of three top prospects and two young infielders as a potential deal to acquire Cease. He proposed that the Yankees offer Chase Hampton, Everson Pereira, Will Warren, Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera to the White Sox in exchange for Cease.
Rotman highlighted that such an offer, including three of the Yankees’ top ten prospects according to MLB Pipeline, could capture the White Sox’s attention, even though it involves significant assets.
However, Nightengale reported that the Yankees remain reluctant to include prized outfield prospect Spencer Jones in any deal for Cease, indicating that acquiring Cease may necessitate a substantial bundle of alternative assets.
Furthermore, concerns about Cole’s health have emerged, with reports suggesting potential injury issues. If Cole’s availability for Opening Day becomes uncertain, the Yankees face a significant setback, especially considering their aspirations to return to the postseason after a disappointing 2023 season.
While attractive options exist in the free-agent market, such as 2023 NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, financial constraints, including high payroll obligations, might hinder the Yankees’ ability to pursue such signings.
Given these circumstances, acquiring Cease via trade could be the most viable solution for the Yankees to fortify their roster. However, if they are unwilling to part with Jones or fellow top prospect Jasson Dominguez, they might need to consider a trade package involving five players, as suggested by Rotman.