Padres Complete Blockbuster Trade to Acquire Dylan Cease from the White Sox
Following the conclusion of the 2023 MLB season, right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease was anticipated to be a hot commodity on the trade block for contenders who were interested in bolstering their starting pitching rotation. With the White Sox coming off a 100-loss 2023 season and the start of a rebuild imminent, Cease’s days in Chicago were numbered as fans and experts awaited the news of the trading of the superstar pitcher. On Wednesday evening, it was announced by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, that the White Sox and San Diego Padres agreed to a deal that would send Cease to San Diego in a blockbuster trade. According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, the White Sox will be receiving right-handed pitchers Drew Thorpe (Padres’ No. 5 prospect) and Jairo Iriarte (Padres’ No. 8 prospect).
Cease, 28, is coming off a down year last season with the White Sox, as he recorded a 4.58 ERA and allowed 90 earned runs in a career-high 33 starts. The disappointing 2023 season for the right-hander was a shock for most people as Cease had compiled a career-best 2022 season, where he recorded a 14-8 record, 227 strikeouts, and a career-low ERA of 2.20 in 184 innings pitched. Following his dominant 2022 campaign, Cease would finish second in AL CY Young Award voting, finishing behind Justin Verlander of the Astros. In his five-year MLB career (all with the White Sox), Cease has tallied a 43-35 record, 792 strikeouts, 294 walks, and a 3.83 career ERA. Despite his down year in 2023, Cease remains a top-tier starting pitcher whose repertoire includes one of the best sliders in the league.
Following the acquisition of Cease, the Padres will have team control of the 2022 All-MLB second-team pitcher for the next two seasons, with Cease being due $8 million this upcoming season. After former Padres’ starting pitcher Blake Snell hit free agency this offseason and remains unlikely to return, the Padres saw themselves having a blatant hole within the top of their starting rotation. Following the trading of Juan Soto to the Yankees with aspirations of lowering their payroll, the money due to Cease for 2024 made the Padres a viable option to acquire the North Paw. With having the fourth-highest strikeout rate (11.4) in MLB since 2021, Cease will fit comfortably into a Padres’ starting rotation that consists of Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove.
