The Cincinnati Reds kicked off the offseason with a bold move, trading Jonathan India for Brady Singer, setting the stage for what promised to be an exciting winter. However, the Reds have since missed out on several big names, most recently top pitcher Garrett Crochet. With their name swirling in rumors around trade targets and free agents, it seems Cincinnati is poised to make a splash soon. What better way to recover from missing Crochet than by targeting his former teammate, Dylan Cease?
Cease was traded from the Chicago White Sox to the San Diego Padres before the 2024 season as the Padres sought to assemble a roster capable of challenging the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite standout performances from Cease and Michael King as co-aces, the Padres fell just one game short of toppling the Dodgers in the NLDS.
Now, with the Padres facing the potential departures of key hitters Jurickson Profar and Ha-Seong Kim this offseason, Cease might find himself on the trade market once again.
After missing out on Garrett Crochet, the Reds may target another former White Sox ace: Dylan Cease
Reliability defines Dylan Cease’s game. He has led his league in starts during three of his four full professional seasons and has twice finished in the top five for Cy Young voting. While some critics highlight his high walk rate and occasional wildness, his durability often outweighs concerns about his control.
Despite acquiring Brady Singer and re-signing Nick Martinez, the Reds still need dependable arms in their rotation. In 2024, only Hunter Greene surpassed 150 innings, leaving Cincinnati potentially counting on Rhett Lowder to handle a significant workload. Adding an innings-eater like Cease could help reduce the strain on their staff.
San Diego might consider trading with the Reds, who boast a wealth of promising prospects. The Padres heavily depleted their farm system to acquire Cease and Luis Arráez in 2024, and with top talents like Jackson Merrill now in the majors, they could be intrigued by Cincinnati’s high-upside but riskier prospects, such as Connor Phillips.
Still, the Reds’ biggest area of need remains the outfield. While pitching may not be the front office’s top priority, Cease could be an ideal addition if they decide to bolster their rotation.
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