Much of the New York Yankees’ offseason focus has been on addressing the final gap in the infield following Gleyber Torres’ departure, but no moves have materialized. Could general manager Brian Cashman consider a different approach and strengthen the pitching staff by trading for San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease? Cease, who the Yankees have shown interest in before, was a target last offseason before being traded from the Chicago White Sox to the Padres. In 2024, Cease made 30+ starts for the fourth consecutive year, finishing with a 14-11 record, a 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 224 strikeouts in 189 1/3 innings. Though he was an integral part of the Padres’ rotation, his name has resurfaced in trade rumors.
FanSided’s Thomas Carannante believes the Yankees should pursue a deal if they can’t bolster their offense. “What’s stopping the Yankees from offering Clarke Schmidt, Everson Pereira, and Jorbit Vivas?” Carannante suggested.
“Or some variation of that where the Padres replace Cease in the rotation and gain prospects to replenish their infield/outfield after the losses of Ha-Seong Kim and Jurickson Profar?” Schmidt had a strong 2024 with a 2.85 ERA in 85 1/3 innings and is under contract until 2028.
MLB.com ranks Pereira as the Yankees’ 11th-best prospect, while Vivas posted a .713 OPS in 422 Triple-A plate appearances last season. Cease is set to earn $13.75 million in 2025 and will be a free agent next offseason. Spotrac estimates his market value for a long-term deal at five years, $108 million.
