MLB Rumors: Dylan Cease Trade Discussed By Padres, Mets amid Cubs Links

The San Diego Padres and New York Mets have reportedly discussed a trade involving starting pitcher Dylan Cease.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Mets have "been trying" to acquire Cease from the Padres. The Chicago Cubs are also involved, but there's a belief that San Diego "may prefer" New York's trade package instead (via Heyman).

Cease and the Padres avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $13.75 million contract for the 2025 season on Jan. 9.

It marked the 29-year-old's final arbitration-eligible year, meaning that he's now set to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2025 season.

Cease has seemingly been on the trade market throughout the offseason, with MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reporting that he was among the starting pitchers "potentially available" for trade on Dec. 9.

The Mets and Cubs aren't the only teams vying for Cease, though. Jon Morosi of MLB Network previously reported that the Boston Red Sox were also interested in the right-hander.

Heyman noted on Thursday that the Padres might be enticed by New York's prospect list, which includes pitcher Brandon Sproat, shortstop Jett Williams and infielder Luisangel Acuña. Sproat and Williams ranked No. 46 and No. 58 on MLB.com's list of the top 100 prospects for 2025, respectively.

Cease spent the first five seasons of his career with the Chicago White Sox before he was traded to San Diego in March 2024.

He was a key piece of the Padres' rotation following the move, finishing with a 14-11 record to go along with a 3.47 ERA and 1.067 WHIP during the 2024 season. He struck out 224 batters in 189.1 innings of work, earning the fourth-most National League Cy Young Award votes.

As the Mets look to build upon their NLCS appearance in 2024, they're reportedly discussing a deal with the Padres involving Cease.