The New York Yankees had been eyeing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. either in free agency or potentially at the trade deadline. However, Guerrero has reportedly signed a massive 14-year, $500 million extension with the Toronto Blue Jays, dashing the Yankees’ hopes of acquiring him. With Guerrero off the table, the Yankees may shift their focus to adding talent at this year’s trade deadline. Bleacher Report’s Joseph Zucker suggested they could set their sights on Dylan Cease from the San Diego Padres.
Zucker noted that the Padres’ decision to keep Cease through Opening Day indicates their postseason ambitions, which are currently justified by an 8-2 start to the season. However, should the Padres’ performance falter, the Yankees might revisit trade talks for Cease or pursue a possible reunion with King. While Guerrero would have been a great fit for the Yankees, who have been searching for an elite first baseman, acquiring Cease—who is slated to be a free agent after the season—would bolster their rotation.
Cease, projected to earn a five-year, $108 million deal in free agency, offers a much more affordable option compared to Guerrero’s price tag, both in terms of contract and trade cost. If the Yankees manage to trade for Cease, they would have a formidable rotation with Cease, Max Fried, and Luis Gil, alongside ace Gerrit Cole. With a 3.38 ERA in 10 2/3 innings this season and a consistent record of 30-plus starts and top-five Cy Young finishes, Cease would be a valuable addition to the Yankees’ pitching staff.
