Padres Open Trade Talks for Surprising Starting Pitcher Dylan Cease
Could the San Diego Padres trade one of baseball’s most reliable starting pitchers before the July 31 deadline?
While it seems unlikely, the Padres have reportedly made 29-year-old Dylan Cease available in trade discussions, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.
Cease, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, has had a rough 2024 campaign. In 20 starts, he holds a 3-9 record with a 4.64 ERA. However, those numbers may not significantly impact the market for a pitcher who has made more starts over the past five seasons than anyone else in Major League Baseball. From 2021 to 2025, Cease leads the league with 150 starts and 1,030 strikeouts.
The Padres are reportedly weighing Cease’s value against other needs on their roster, which include positions like left field and catcher. If they trade Cease, they will have to find a way to replace his innings in the rotation.
In pursuit of a replacement, the Padres have reportedly discussed acquiring right-hander Charlie Morton from the Baltimore Orioles. Morton, a reliable starter, has recently turned his season around and could help stabilize the Padres’ pitching staff.
One name that is not expected to be part of any trade for Cease is Marcell Ozuna of the Atlanta Braves. There were initial reports of trade talks between the Padres and Braves regarding Ozuna, but those rumors were quickly shot down by multiple sources. According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com and Robert Murray of FanSided.com, there is no ongoing discussion about an Ozuna deal, with Murray specifically dismissing a potential Cease-for-Ozuna trade.
Another potential target for the Padres is Braves catcher Sean Murphy, who has solidified himself as a key player in Atlanta. However, reports indicate the Braves are not willing to part with Murphy, and Murray also dismissed the possibility of a Cease-for-Murphy trade.
Despite some trade rumors, Murray added that the Padres are likely to hold onto Cease. “They value him,” Murray said. “They believe he gives them the best chance to compete. Maybe it’s possible, but I don’t see it happening.”
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