The possibility of Chicago White Sox right-hander Dylan Cease being traded appears increasingly likely, with new General Manager Chris Getz indicating that ongoing discussions with other teams are in progress.
While there is no immediate transaction on the horizon, it’s becoming evident that a long-term future for Cease in Chicago is not part of the plan. The timing of a potential trade remains fluid, with various factors in play, including the urgency of other clubs and the intricate nature of trade negotiations.
Getz explained, “It’s ever evolving in terms of the urgency of other clubs. It could be in the offseason. It could at the deadline. It could be in May. There’s just so many different factors when you’re talking about 29 other clubs.”
Cease, currently 28 years old, remains under team control for two more seasons at a cost-effective salary. He is set to earn approximately $8 million in 2024 through arbitration before entering free agency in the following year. Despite a slightly challenging previous season, where his ERA rose by over 2.00, Cease’s value remains high due to his age, skill set, and durability. He was a runner-up in AL Cy Young voting just a year ago.
Several teams have expressed interest in acquiring Cease, including the Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves, and New York Yankees, according to league sources. While some of these teams have already addressed their pitching needs, others might still be considering free agents. Getz may be strategizing to leverage the market when options are limited to maximize the return for Cease, who boasts an impressive record of 97 starts over the past three years.
When asked about the potential timing of a trade in relation to the free agency market, Getz commented, “It’s tough to tell. Whether it comes to a Cease market or any other player’s market, we’re not operating in a vacuum. Some teams have more financial flexibility than others. All it takes is one team that wants to jump out and get a deal done. In the case of Dylan, I don’t think there’s a club out there that hasn’t expressed some level of interest in him. All their situations are different.”