What Role Did Yankees Play In Padres & Dylan Cease Deal?

Before the San Diego Padres acquired Dylan Cease on Tuesday, the New York Yankees made one more trade offer to the Chicago White Sox for the right-handed starting pitcher.

What Role Did Yankees Play In the Padres & Dylan Cease Deal?

When he placed second in the American League Cy Young campaign in 2022, the 28-year-old Cease was among the top pitchers in MLB.

Cease finished 14-8 with a 2.20 ERA (1.11 WHIP) with 227 strikeouts in 32 starts during that season. In 2023, he had a decline, finishing 7-9 with 214 strikeouts in 33 starts, a 4.58 ERA, and a 1.42 WHIP.

With ties to both Cease and Blake Snell, the Yankees have been searching for starting pitching even after adding Marcus Stroman to the rotation earlier in the winter.

In exchange for righty Dylan Cease from the White Sox in a four-for-one deal, San Diego received pitching prospect Drew Thorpe, which it had obtained from the Yankees in the Juan Soto trade.

In an attempt to jolt a stagnant lineup, the Yankees used their depth in pitching to acquire Soto, who was previously dealt to the Padres in December.

The Yankees were one of the clubs interested in signing Cease; with Cole losing at least one to two months of the season due to an elbow injury, their need for starting pitching has increased dramatically.

But the Yankees may feel greater pressure to send another pitcher to the Bronx now that staff ace Gerrit Cole will be out for at least a month or two due to a right elbow injury that needs more testing.

Now that Cease is no longer available, the Yankees might focus more on Snell, the top free agent available, moving forward. One of the issues is competition.

Having lost King, Thorpe, and two other pitchers in the Soto trade, the Yankees’ reserves were insufficient to absorb another setback.

Cease pitched with the White Sox last season, going 7-9 with a 4.58 ERA; however, in 2022, he recorded a 2.20 ERA and placed second in the AL Cy Young votes.

In contrast, Thorpe could have the opportunity to break into the White Sox starting rotation in what is anticipated to be a rebuilding season for the South Siders.

Jordan Montgomery, a left-hander who played for the Bronx Bombers from 2017 to 2022 before being moved to the St. Louis Cardinals, is another player the Yankees may sign. Montgomery is an old acquaintance. Montgomery led the Texas Rangers to their first-ever World Series victory one year later as a top player.

As of right now, Stroman, Carlos Rodón, Clarke Schmidt, and Nestor Cortes make up the top four in the Yankees’ rotation; but, it’s conceivable that New York makes a trade before the season starts on March 28.

Who was Dylan Cease traded for?

In an attempt to strengthen their starting rotation, the San Diego Padres acquired Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox. Pitchers Drew Thorpe, Steven Wilson, Jairo Iriarte, and outfielder Samuel Zavala were given by the Padres to the White Sox in exchange for Cease.

What did the Padres give up for Dylan Cease?

RHP Dylan Cease is sent to the Padres. RHP Steven Wilson, OF Samuel Zavala, RHP Jairo Iriarte, and RHP Drew Thorpe are received by the White Sox.

How much money does Dylan Cease make?

However, Dylan Cease was the ideal pitcher for this club at this particular moment. Cease is under club ownership until 2025 and will make $8 million this season.

 

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