While much of the New York Yankees’ offseason focus has centered on filling the infield gap left by Gleyber Torres, no moves have come to fruition yet. Could general manager Brian Cashman pivot and pursue another ace by trading for San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease? The right-hander has been on the Yankees’ radar before, with the team showing interest last winter before the Chicago White Sox traded him to San Diego. In 2024, Cease made 30-plus starts for the fourth consecutive season, finishing with a 14-11 record, a 3.47 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP, and 224 strikeouts over 189 1/3 innings. Despite being a key contributor for the Padres, his name has resurfaced in trade rumors.FanSided’s Thomas Carannante suggests the Yankees should consider a trade for Cease if they can’t bolster their offense further. “What’s stopping the Yankees from offering Clarke Schmidt, Everson Pereira, and Jorbit Vivas?” Carannante wrote. “Or some variation of that deal where the Padres replace Cease in their rotation and gain prospect depth for their infield and outfield after losing Ha-Seong Kim and Jurickson Profar?” Schmidt, who posted a 2.85 ERA in 85 1/3 innings for the Yankees in 2024, won’t hit free agency until 2028. Pereira is ranked as the Yankees’ 11th-best prospect by MLB.com, while Vivas recorded a .713 OPS in 422 Triple-A plate appearances last season.
Cease is set to earn $13.75 million this season and is slated to become a free agent next offseason. Spotrac estimates his market value for a long-term deal at five years and $108 million. A trade for Cease could provide the Yankees with the elite pitching boost they need while addressing their rotation depth.
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