Dylan Cease, White Sox Haven't Discussed Contract Extension Amid MLB Trade Rumors

Dylan Cease has been included in numerous trade rumors this winter, but he reported to training camp with the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday in preparation for his sixth season on the South Side.

While speaking with reporters at training camp, Cease, who will become a free agent in 2026, said he hasn't had extension talks with the White Sox but would love to remain in Chicago beyond his current deal.

"A lot of that's out of my control," Cease told reporters when asked about his future. "At the end of the day, wherever I have to go, I do just want to perform. It would be great to be here. I have a lot of great relationships here. The city of Chicago is awesome."

Cease has been heavily included in trade rumors this offseason as the White Sox approach a likely rebuild following a 61-101 finish to the 2023 campaign. General manager Chris Getz told reporters in November that the team would consider moving any player ahead of the 2024 season.

"I've made it very clear that the White Sox are willing to listen in on any of our players," Getz said at the time.

ESPN's Jeff Passan then reported on Jan. 3 that the White Sox were "still likely" to move Cease this offseason, but Getz cast some doubt on that report on Jan. 9, telling reporters that Chicago would need to benefit from a deal in order to offload the veteran.

Getz said:

"We've had conversations about Dylan Cease but I also know that we're not going to move a player like Dylan or anyone else unless we feel like we're going to benefit. So it's got to be right for all parties. A lot of these conversations are on-going, there's a lot that goes into any sort of trade transaction, there's a lot of conversations, build up, research and obviously getting it to the finish line." "

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported earlier this winter that the White Sox are seeking "two premium prospects and two others" in exchange for Cease. It's unclear if they had any offers close to that.

Cease enters 2024 as Chicago's top pitcher, headlining a rotation that is expected to include Michael Kopech, Touki Toussaint, Michael Soroka and Chris Flexen.

Despite the team's struggles in 2023, he still posted a 7-9 record with a 4.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 214 strikeouts in 177 innings across 33 starts. Those numbers are down by his standards, however, as he went 14-8 in 2022 with a 2.20 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 227 strikeouts in 184 innings across 32 starts.

If the White Sox are struggling as bad as expected during the 2024 season, perhaps the franchise will explore moving Cease on a more serious level. For now, it looks like he'll be remaining on the South Side to begin the year.