The San Diego Padres are reportedly entertaining offers for their ace, Dylan Cease, as the star pitcher approaches his walk year. With uncertainty surrounding his potential re-signing, trading Cease before he hits free agency could be the Padres’ smartest move. And now, an intriguing trade idea from Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer has surfaced, potentially sending Cease north of the border to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Toronto’s interest in bolstering its rotation is no secret. As Rymer notes, “The Blue Jays were clearly open to adding a No. 1 starter, evidenced by their willingness to offer Corbin Burnes more money than the franchise has ever given a single player.” With Burnes out of reach, the Blue Jays could set their sights on Cease, who would immediately upgrade their rotation.
In Rymer’s proposed deal:
- Blue Jays receive: RHP Dylan Cease
- Padres receive: RHP Yariel Rodríguez and LHP Ricky Tiedemann (Toronto’s No. 4 prospect)
For the Padres, this trade offers financial relief and a pair of promising arms. Cease is projected to earn $13.7 million in arbitration, while Rodríguez carries an AAV of $6.4 million, freeing up payroll and helping the Padres dip below the luxury tax threshold. Although moving from Cease to Rodríguez would be a step down in talent, the addition of Ricky Tiedemann, a high-upside left-hander, sweetens the deal for San Diego.
The move could also align with the Padres’ ambitions to secure Japanese star Roki Sasaki. If they win the Sasaki sweepstakes, the blow of losing Cease could be mitigated by adding another elite arm to their roster.
This deal appears to be a win-win. The Blue Jays would gain a proven ace to headline their rotation, potentially re-signing him in free agency to solidify their pitching staff for years to come. Meanwhile, the Padres avoid losing Cease for nothing, bringing in a mix of immediate and future talent to remain competitive.
Whether this trade comes to fruition or not, it’s clear that Dylan Cease’s future is a key storyline to watch this offseason. For now, Padres fans wait with bated breath as the front office weighs its options.