Pitcher Dylan Cease is still under contract to the Chicago White Sox, though not for lack of effort on the part of any other teams. Since November, reports have linked Cease to multiple teams in trade talks, including the...
Pitcher Dylan Cease is still under contract to the Chicago White Sox, though not for lack of effort on the part of any other teams.
Since November, reports have linked Cease to multiple teams in trade talks, including the Dodgers. Apparently the sense of urgency that fueled those reports has faded, to the extent the White Sox were eager to make a deal at all. The Dodgers pivoted to a new trade target and acquired Tyler Glashow from the Tampa Bay Rays instead.
With the White Sox appearing on the verge of a rebuild, Cease could still be on the trading block. Now, there is some indication of the kind of package Chicago general manager Chris Getz would want in return.
Jason Williams of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported the White Sox’s discussions with the Cincinnati Reds involved three prospects ranked in the Top 100 by MLB Pipeline: Rhett Lowder (41), Edwin Arroyo (57) and Connor Phillips (68). Lowder (45) and Phillips (86) also made appearances on Baseball America’s last top 100 list in September.
Bruce Levine of 670 The Score previously reported the Sox asked for a four-player trade package from the Reds: Lowder, Petty, as well as two position-player prospects.
Technically, the Dodgers did not trade any prospects to Tampa Bay for Glasnow and outfielder Manuel Margot; pitcher Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny DeLuca had enough major league service time to graduate from “prospect status.” Both players can help the Rays immediately. It was a 2-for-2 swap involving four major leaguers.
The White Sox, who aren’t looking to contend in 2024, would not be interested in such a package. Fortunately the Dodgers still have several strong trade candidates on their 40-man roster and in their minor league system.
Infielder Michael Busch, 26, and second baseman Miguel Vargas, 24, might be the most expendable. By signing designated hitter/pitcher Shohei Ohtani and moving Mookie Betts to second base, the Dodgers blocked two of the best paths to playing time for Busch and Vargas in 2024.
Busch and Vargas would be attractive additions to most teams. But the scope of Chicago’s discussions with Cincinnati suggest Getz might demand additional, younger talent to bolster his farm system in any trade involving Cease.
Busch is currently ranked 44th by MLB Pipeline. Dalton Rushing, a 22-year-old catcher, is the Dodgers’ top-ranked prospect at No. 43 overall. Catcher Diego Cartaya (56), pitcher Nick Frasso (65) and pitcher Gavin Stone (79) are the other Dodgers prospects ranked in MLB Pipeline’s top 100. Among them, only Rushing is not on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
Outfielder Josue De Paula, 18, might be the Dodgers’ most attractive trade chip for a team planning a long-term rebuild. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, De Paula slashed .284/.396/.372 at Low-A Rancho Cucamonga in 2023, his first experience with a full-season minor league affiliate. He isn’t a consensus top-100 prospect, but that could change in the months to come as evaluators update their priors on De Paula.
The Dodgers’ front office might also feel the additions of Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto lessens the need for Cease. The 27-year-old right-hander is 43-35 in his career with a 3.83 ERA and has two seasons remaining before he’s eligible for free agency. The Southern California native offers a combination of durability, skill, and youth that is rarely found in the trade or free-agent markets.
Although our understanding of the asking price for Cease is still limited, it’s now safe to say he won’t come cheap.
Photo Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
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