Luis Gil and Gerrit Cole’s absence has caused the Yankees to go panic-buying for pitchers. It’s devastating to lose two starting pitchers just when the regular season is around the corner. With nothing left in free agency, trading is the best and only option left for the Bronx to make a move. So, whom to trade? The Padres’ pitcher Dylan Cease. Yes, all eyes are now on Cease; reportedly, nine teams have shown interest in trading him. What makes him a hot property for the suitors? How does he suit the Yankees’ lineup?
Well, Dylan Cease’s solid pitch variety and high strikeout rate are what make him a good pitcher. He has a talent for creating swing-and-misses and is renowned for his command of his offerings, especially his slider. With these skills, he had an impressive outing last year. For the Padres, Cease pitched in 189 innings last year with 3.47 ERA and 224 strikeouts. However, his postseason was a nightmare, with eight runs in five innings. With Cease ought to get $13.75 million this year, it seems a good package for the suitors.
https://t.co/fD3efPFJal. Opinions vary wildly on whether Dylan Cease will be dealt this spring, but he has to be the Yankees’ clear target (in here: Cease talks about his frequent life on the block)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 14, 2025
What about the Yankees? As per the MLB insider Jon Heyman, “Opinions vary wildly on whether Dylan Cease will be dealt this spring, but he has to be the Yankees’ clear target.” While it is still rumors that the Yankees will go for Cease, Heyman emphasized why they should be in pursuit. Moreover, Cease’s statement about jumping the ship fuels further rumors. “But it’s baseball,” he said. “Anything can happen.” However, will the Padres let their star pitcher go? Well, it’s baseball, and expecting the unexpected is what makes the offseason interesting.
The Padres’ postseason contention has ceased
It’s highly unlikely that the Padres would trade their top starter unless they are struggling as the trade deadline draws near. Moreover, the Padres appear to be a postseason contender, and hence, Cease would be too big to lose. However, Heyman said the Padres would seek high-end prospects and young pitchers in exchange for Cease in case of trading. So, is there a chance for trading for the Padres? A trade would appear likely, though, if the Yankees could assist them in another position, like left field, catcher, or designated hitter, the weak points of the Padres.
Yes, the Padres’ postseason contention would take a toll in that case. The contribution Cease made last year for the team is important for the 2025 postseason. Reportedly, the Padres intend to put Cease in the rotation at the beginning of the season. So, it would be a risky affair to trade a starting pitcher for a few prospects. Although opening day is rapidly approaching, the Padres have not ruled out a trade for Cease. For the Yankees, anything for Cease would be a win. While rumors of the trading of the Yankees slugger Jasson Dominguez are also buzzing around, all sides are open.
Dylan Cease can fix the glaring holes in the Yankees’ pitching rotation. The key question is whether the Yankees have a good enough option to make the big trade happen. Do you think Dylan Cease is a good option for the Yankees? Let us know below.
The post Yankees Forced to Pin Hopes on $13.75M Padres Star Amid Rotation Crisis as MLB Analyst Drops Bold Verdict Amid Intensifying Trade Buzz appeared first on EssentiallySports.
