The New York Mets are reportedly in talks with the San Diego Padres about acquiring starting pitcher Dylan Cease. Cease's resurgence in 2024 makes him an attractive target for the Mets, but the potential trade cost, including top prospects, presents a significant challenge.
The New York Mets are exploring the possibility of acquiring starting pitcher Dylan Cease from the San Diego Padres , according to multiple reports. Cease, 29, demonstrated a resurgence in 2024, posting a 14-11 record with a 3.47 ERA, a career-best 1.067 WHIP, and 224 strikeouts across 189 innings. He was traded to San Diego from the Chicago White Sox last year after experiencing a significant decline in performance in 2023.
While Cease finished second in the American League Cy Young Award voting in 2022, his ERA ballooned to 4.58 in 2023, accompanied by an increased number of walks and wild pitches. However, his strong rebound season with the Padres has sparked optimism that he could solidify as a reliable No. 2 starter, a role the Mets are currently seeking to fill. President of baseball operations David Stearns has assembled a potential six-man rotation, but several question marks remain. He aims to replicate the success of the 2024 rotation which exceeded expectations with contributions from Luis Severino and Sean Manaea. Although Severino and Jose Quintana have departed, Manaea returns and currently holds the No. 2 spot behind Kodai Senga, who missed the majority of last season due to shoulder and calf injuries. Stearns acquired veteran Frankie Montas, also looking to regain his form, and former Yankees closer Clay Holmes to bolster the bottom of the rotation alongside Paul Blackburn. Acquiring Cease would provide valuable insurance should any of the Mets' rotation uncertainties fail to materialize. However, the potential cost remains a significant consideration. The New York Post reported that the Padres might be interested in three of the Mets' top prospects: starting pitcher Brandon Sproat, infielder/outfielder Jett Williams, and infielder Luisangel Acuna. Stearns has been reluctant to part with his top prospects, especially for a player like Cease who has only one year of team control remaining before hitting free agency. Both Sproat and Acuna are considered strong candidates for roster spots on the major-league team this year, which could potentially weaken the organization's depth. Acuna is in contention for the starting third-base position depending on the outcome of Pete Alonso's free agency. If Alonso departs, third baseman Mark Vientos would shift to first base, leaving the hot corner open for competition among Acuna, Brett Baty, and Ronny Mauricio. Sproat is projected to be a mid-rotation starter as early as this summer, potentially joining the Mets' rotation mid-season. The 24-year-old right-hander rapidly progressed through the minor leagues last year, transitioning from high A-ball to Triple-A in a single season and combining for a 7-4 record with a 3.40 ERA and a 1.110 WHIP across three different levels.Perhaps if the Padres were willing to absorb the expiring contract of Starling Marte, it would sweeten the potential return of prospects for the Mets. This could involve Williams and another highly-regarded pitching prospect within the Mets' system, Blade Tidwell.
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