The Seattle Mariners have joined the trade discussions for Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. The White Sox are reportedly seeking a trade package centered around young pitchers Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo in exchange for Cease.
If the Mariners are willing to meet the White Sox’s asking price, they could assemble one of the most formidable starting rotations in baseball. Their rotation would feature Luis Castillo, Dylan Cease, Logan Gilbert, and George Kirby.
However, it’s worth noting that the Mariners already have a rotation set for the upcoming season, and adding another starting pitcher may not be their top priority. Their primary need has been seen as acquiring a potent bat for their lineup. Nonetheless, the possibility of strengthening their pitching staff is intriguing.
In the event that a trade with the Mariners doesn’t materialize, the White Sox may choose to retain Cease and begin the season with him. They could revisit trade talks closer to the July 30 trade deadline or explore options if a team faces sudden pitching needs due to injuries.
The potential deal raises some questions about Seattle’s strategy. Despite concerns about their budget during the offseason, they appear willing to take on additional salary for a pitcher with less team control than their own promising pitchers like Woo and Miller. Cease has two years of team control remaining.
In the 2023 season, the 27-year-old Dylan Cease faced challenges along with the White Sox, finishing with a 7-9 record and a 4.58 ERA. Nevertheless, he maintained his status as an elite strikeout artist, recording 214 strikeouts in 177.0 innings. Over his career, Cease has posted a record of 43-35 with a 4.58 ERA. Notably, he was the runner-up in the American League Cy Young Award voting in 2022.
The Seattle Mariners concluded the previous season with an 88-74 record, securing third place in the American League West.