Trade Idea Sends Major Prospects to Padres, Bringing Ace to Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles have already made moves to improve their starting rotation this offseason, but they are still on the lookout for a true ace to anchor the team for the 2025 season.
One of the most intriguing possibilities is acquiring San Diego Padres’ pitcher Dylan Cease, a strikeout specialist.
A trade for Cease would be similar to their acquisition of Corbin Burnes in 2024—bringing in a top-tier pitcher, but one entering his final year of team control.
The Orioles could offer a significant package to the Padres, but trading top prospects like Samuel Basallo or Coby Mayo for a potential one-year rental could be risky.
However, Zach Pressnell of FanSided has proposed a trade that could land Cease while preserving Baltimore’s top prospects. The deal would send Heston Kjerstad, Jud Fabian, Trace Bright, and Alex Pham to San Diego in exchange for the ace.
Although this is still a lot to give up for a pitcher with just one year left under contract, Cease is an elite talent and would make the trade worthwhile.
At 29 years old, Cease is coming off a strong 3.47 ERA season with the Padres, posting a 1.067 WHIP and 10.6 K/9. This marks his second top-five finish in Cy Young voting.
Cease is also one of the few pitchers who consistently makes 32 starts each season, making him highly valuable due to his durability and elite production.
Kjerstad, who is approaching 26, seems like a likely trade candidate for the Orioles. Despite his potential, he hasn’t been able to break into the Orioles’ lineup yet, and it might be wise to trade him now while his value is still high.
Fabian, another top 10 prospect, has struggled in the minors, posting a .215/.305/.390 slash line, and doesn’t have a clear path to playing time in Baltimore’s outfield.
Bright, drafted in 2022, has spent most of his time in Double-A and showed a strong K/9 rate in 2022 but couldn’t replicate that success last season.
Pham, also drafted in 2021, is currently in Double-A as well.
This trade would benefit both teams: Baltimore secures their new ace, and San Diego receives promising players who can help fill gaps in their roster.
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