Padres set high bar in potential Dylan Cease trade

Trade rumors have swirled around San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease for most of the offseason.

The Orioles have been linked to Cease for virtually as long as he has been on the trade block. Jon Morosi from MLB Network reported back in December that the Orioles became interested in Cease as their hopes to sign pitcher Corbin Burnes decreased. 

Although nothing has happened on the trade front, the Orioles and Padres did discuss a deal for Cease. Roch Kubatko from MASNsports.com reported that the Padres had inquired about several players who were not available for trade. Kubatko listed catcher Samuel Basallo, third baseman Coby Mayo and infielder Jordan Westburg as players the Padres were interested in for Cease.

That type of return tracks with the Padres' reported asking price. Dan Hayes of The Athletic reported that the Padres are asking for "significant major league value" for Cease. Hayes further reported that opposing teams feel that the Padres' asking price is as high as it is due to their return after trading outfielder Juan Soto during the 2023-24 offseason.

Cease would be an upgrade to virtually the rotation for any contending team. He shook off a disappointing 2023 season to post a 3.47 ERA and a 1.067 WHiP in his 189.1 innings, striking out 224 batters with 65 walks. Cease finished fourth in the NL Cy Young vote and earned down-ballot MVP consideration for his performance.

The Orioles are not the only suitor for Cease. Other teams such as the Twins, Mets and Red Sox had checked in with the Padres over the course of the offseason. However, the Orioles may need a top-of-the-rotation arm more than any other potential suitor as Zach Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez are currently atop their depth chart. It is just a matter of which team will blink and pay the Padres' asking price.