Astros Seem to Be Moving Away From Dylan Cease Trade Talks with Padres
Dylan Cease, the San Diego Padres starting pitcher, has long been linked to the Houston Astros as a potential trade target. However, recent reports suggest that the Astros may be shifting their focus elsewhere. 
MLB insider Bob Nightengale revealed that the Astros are now in trade discussions with the Miami Marlins for ace Sandy Alcantara, as talks with the Padres regarding Cease have reportedly cooled.
Cease, who is set to become a free agent this winter, has emerged as one of the Padres’ most tradeable assets. With San Diego hesitant to pay top dollar for both Cease and reliever Michael King, trading Cease has become a logical move. While the Padres would typically hold onto him for a playoff push, their lack of prospects and financial flexibility has made it difficult to address other roster needs, particularly at left field and catcher.
With King returning from the injured list and a strong bullpen, the Padres can afford to move Cease if it helps fill a gap in their lineup. Both the catcher and left field positions have underperformed offensively, leaving the team with an urgent need for improvement.
Cease’s 4.79 ERA this season hasn’t been spectacular, but his stuff remains electric — ranking in the 94th percentile for whiff rate and 90th for strikeout rate. However, he’s struggled with giving up hard contact and issuing walks.
With the Astros possibly pulling out of the Cease sweepstakes, his market is shrinking, though other contending teams will still be interested in a pitcher who can generate swing-and-miss stuff like Cease.
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