Mets Emerge as Suitor for Dylan Cease Ahead of Trade Deadline

A surprising name has entered the trade market for starting pitching: Dylan Cease. Buster Olney of ESPN reported Wednesday that the San Diego Padres are receiving interest in the 29-year-old righty. While the Padres are still aiming for a postseason push, they’re reportedly open to moving Cease to address other roster needs. According to Olney, teams that have checked in include the Mets, several AL East contenders, and the Cubs.

Mets Emerge as Suitor for Dylan Cease Ahead of Trade Deadline

Trading Cease makes plenty of sense for San Diego. The former White Sox ace is set to hit free agency after the 2025 season, and there’s no guarantee he’ll return. Cease has struggled this year, posting a career-worst 4.64 ERA over 108 innings. Though San Diego remains in the thick of the NL Wild Card race — and just 4.5 games behind the Dodgers in the division — they appear willing to at least listen to offers. In addition to Cease, Michael King (also a pending free agent) remains a key trade piece.

The Mets Interest

Olney named the Mets among the teams that have inquired about Cease. This comes as a bit of a surprise after the president of baseball operations, David Stearns, said earlier this week that he was “confident” in the team’s current rotation.

The last two months have been a challenge for the Mets’ pitching staff. Injuries to Kodai Senga, Tylor Megill, and Paul Blackburn forced the team into regular bullpen games. But with Senga and Sean Manaea now back and healthy, the rotation is stabilizing. Adding Cease even in a down year would further solidify a group that could become a legitimate postseason force.

“We need to keep those guys healthy,” Stearns said Monday. “But I think from a talent perspective, we have guys on our staff right now that can lead us into a postseason series.”

Given Cease’s struggles this season, the Padres’ asking price could be lower than it would have been a year ago. That may be why Stearns and the Mets are even entertaining the idea. It remains unclear whether San Diego is seeking multiple top-100 prospects, major league-ready talent, or a combination of both, something the Mets could offer.

As the trade deadline nears, asking prices will come into focus. For now, Dylan Cease is a name to watch, and the Mets are firmly in the mix.