Trade speculation surrounding San Diego Padres right-hander Dylan Cease has persisted this spring. Despite the Padres solidifying their rotation with the addition of Nick Pivetta, rumors continue to swirl about a potential Cease trade.
The latest projection suggests the 29-year-old could end the season with the Atlanta Braves.
“San Diego’s AJ Preller and Atlanta’s Alex Anthopoulos have only made one trade since the latter took over in late 2017, and it was a relatively minor deal two Decembers ago,” wrote Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller. “But the idea of pairing the mustachioed Cease with the equally mustachioed Spencer Strider, even for a short stint, might be enough to bring the two aggressive general managers together for a significant trade.”
In his first season with the Padres, Cease posted a 14-11 record with a 3.47 ERA, striking out 224 batters while issuing just 65 walks over a career-high 189.1 innings in 2024. While he’s a key piece of San Diego’s rotation, the team’s payroll concerns could make a trade more likely.
Cease is set to earn $13.8 million in 2025, and moving him could provide financial flexibility for the Padres.
However, Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller has suggested the team intends to begin the season with Cease in the rotation, though a trade could still materialize before Opening Day or the July trade deadline.
“He’s a very big part of our club,” Preller told reporters, including MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell. “The additions over the last few days strengthen what was already a strong rotation. That remains our focus moving forward.”
For his part, Cease has been concentrating on refining his game this spring. He also expressed a desire to remain with San Diego for the 2025 season.
“I’m just focused on the task at hand. It’s all part of the business,” Cease said. “I love San Diego, I love it here, and I’d definitely love to stay.”
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