A semi-strange rumor has persisted since early in the season that, even if they were contending, the San Diego Padres might be interested in dealing Dylan Cease from the rotation as the trade deadline approached. Here we are, a day and a half before the deadline, and … the Padres are contending, and that interest has only intensified.
The Yankees, looking for as much pitching as they can possibly muster, would be as good a fit for Cease as anyone, as well as fellow rental starters like Merrill Kelly and Zac Gallen. Though Brian Cashman’s faith in his roster appears to be waning, the Yankees’ status as a “soft buyer” and a team willing to give to get from their MLB corps could work in their favor here.
Word of Warning: The experience of watching Dylan Cease doesn’t always line up with the exceptional nature of his stuff. The pitch count is often too high, the penalty of elevated strikeout totals. He labors through five frames more often than he should.
Word of Enthusiasm: For a two-month audition, Cease seems worth the cost of acquisition to give the Yankees a higher-upside option in Marcus Stroman’s place, as well as insurance against Will Warren/Luis Gil.
According to the latest intel 36 hours before the trade deadline, the Padres seek an “MLB left fielder and/or catcher” in exchange for Cease (as well as closer Robert Suárez, who’s also intriguing). The Yankees can provide both of those things in one fell swoop, though they can also supplement either one with prospects accordingly.
There are several routes the Yankees could take here to satisfy San Diego’s ask.
Heard tonight if the Padres trade a prominent pitcher — like Dylan Cease or Robert Suárez — their preference is to acquire an @MLB left fielder and/or catcher in return, as opposed to prospects.@MLBNetwork
https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1950385318642815107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Yankees-Padres Dylan Cease trade package feels like a perfect fit
If it’s catching help the Padres want, the Yankees could dangle a package featuring JC Escarra or Rafael Flores, who is almost inarguably MLB-ready (though Jon Heyman begged them not to trade him). If they’d prefer a left fielder, Trent Grisham could be available for the right price – and San Diego knows him well. Would both Escarra and Grisham packaged together net them Cease? What about either one of them, paired with a minor-league righty like Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz or Bryce Cunningham?
It all feels a little light, but it’s also what the Padres are outright asking for. Doesn’t hurt to respond.
Plus, if the Yankees needed any other reason to bend to the Padres’ whims, Cease appears to be atop the Astros’ wishlist. Intercept their call and make this work.
