While much of the focus on the New York Yankees’ offseason has been on filling the final gap in the infield following Gleyber Torres’ departure, no moves have materialized yet.
Could general manager Brian Cashman take a different approach and trade for San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease to add another ace to the rotation? Cease is a pitcher the Yankees have been linked to before, having shown interest in acquiring him last winter before the Chicago White Sox traded him to San Diego. In 2024, Cease made 30-plus starts for the fourth consecutive year, finishing with a 14-11 record, a 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 224 strikeouts in 189 1/3 innings.
Despite being a key contributor to the Padres last season, his name is once again circulating in trade rumors. FanSided’s Thomas Carannante suggests the Yankees should pursue a trade if they struggle to bolster their offense.
Dylan Cease
He proposes a potential package of starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt, outfielder Everson Pereira, and infielder Jorbit Vivas, or a similar combination, to help the Padres fill Cease’s spot in the rotation while also providing value in the outfield and infield following the departures of Ha-Seong Kim and Jurickson Profar.
Schmidt posted a 2.85 ERA in 85 1/3 innings for New York in 2024 and is under contract through 2028. MLB.com ranks Pereira as the Yankees’ 11th-best prospect, while Vivas put up a .713 OPS in 422 Triple-A plate appearances last season. Cease is due to earn $13.75 million in 2025 and is set to hit free agency next offseason. Spotrac estimates his market value for a long-term deal at five years and $108 million.
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