Padres Unexpectedly Exploring prominent right-handed starting pitcher Trade Talks

The San Diego Padres have plenty on their plate this offseason, with one major priority being the need to reduce payroll.

Oct 9, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease (84) throws in the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers during game four of the NLDS for the 2024 MLB Playoffs at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images

Although it might not be an ideal scenario, the Padres are open to discussions with teams expressing interest in some of their star players. Among the names drawing significant attention is starting pitcher Dylan Cease, who has become a focal point for multiple teams.

Dylan Cease, who will turn 29 later this month, is projected to earn between $13 million and $14 million in 2025, his final year of team control.

At the MLB Winter Meetings, discussions about Cease reportedly ranged from the Padres “trying to unload” the pitcher to being “open to” a trade, according to Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. However, there is no confirmation that a deal is imminent or that the Padres are actively nearing a trade.

With the steep cost of pitchers on this offseason’s market, Cease has become an appealing option for many teams. While trading him would weaken the Padres’ starting rotation, it would also give the organization a chance to address needs in areas such as the outfield, their prospect pool, or the lineup, all while reducing payroll.

“It’s that time of year when you’re always going to get incoming phone calls when you have good players,” Padres general manager A.J. Preller said this week. “This year’s been active on that front. But I think that just speaks to when you have good players that people want to talk about.”

The Padres are aiming to maintain their payroll level from 2024 into 2025, but achieving that goal will require shedding some salary. Trading Dylan Cease is one of the options under consideration. Cease has been a reliable starter, making at least 32 starts in each of the last four seasons, including a 3.47 ERA across 33 starts in 2024.

Adding to the Padres’ financial challenges are potential significant raises for Jurickson Profar and Luis Arraez, both of whom have been linked to possible departures in free agency this offseason or next. While the Padres have been relatively quiet so far, they face several critical decisions ahead of spring training.

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