The San Diego Padres are reportedly open to trade discussions involving several star players this offseason, including pitcher Dylan Cease and position players Luis Arraez and Xander Bogaerts.
Among them, Cease stands out as the most intriguing trade candidate. His contract runs through the 2025 season, making him a valuable asset the Padres could consider moving. Cease’s trade value is significant, as he could bring back either a package of top prospects or established big-league talent.
Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report recently predicted that Cease might be traded. Instead of projecting him to a major market team, Rymer suggested the Cleveland Guardians as a potential landing spot.
“Cease finished as the runner-up in the 2022 AL Cy Young Award voting and placed fourth in the NL voting this year,” Rymer wrote. “Over the past four seasons, he has maintained a strong 3.52 ERA, coupled with an impressive 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings. His raw stuff ranks among the best in baseball.”
The Padres could leverage Cease’s value to address other areas of need, such as improving at catcher or in the outfield. If not traded for an established star, Cease could likely bring back top-tier prospects.
Trading Cease is a tough decision for a team aiming to remain competitive. While he boosts their chances in the present, moving him could help them contend in 2025 and beyond.
The Guardians appear to be a logical fit for Cease. Without Shane Bieber last season, Cleveland lacked a true ace at the top of its rotation. Acquiring Cease would fill that gap.
A potential trade package from Cleveland might include big-league-ready prospects, such as Kyle Manzardo, and could even involve Luis Arraez. Though costly, this move would significantly improve the Guardians’ chances of contending for the AL Pennant in 2025.
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