The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly one of the teams in the hunt for Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease, however, the asking price for the pitcher is huge.
The Orioles are back. Following five consecutive losing seasons that include three years with 100 or more defeats, Baltimore has become one of the premier teams in the American League again. After making serious strides in 2022, they took another surprising leap forward this past season by winning the AL East for the first time in nine years.
Related: Baltimore Orioles reportedly in talks to land top-line pitcher from White Sox or Marlins
What makes this resurgence for the Orioles so special is that they did it the old-fashioned way by drafting talented prospects and developing them into legitimate rising stars at the big-league level. However, for as good as everyday young players like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson are, they haven’t had quite the same luck with pitchers.
That is why a goal entering the offseason — or at least the hope of Baltimore fans — was to bolster a pitching staff that was a clear weakness last season. Earlier this week, it was reported that not only are the Baltimore Orioles in discussions with the Miami Marlins about some of their starting pitchers, but they are also among the teams pursuing Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease.
Baltimore Orioles might have to give up two or three top prospects to get Dylan Cease
However, since he is one of the few high-level pitchers that is on this year’s market, and can be had without giving out a nine-figure contract, it seems the Sox are trying to take advantage of that high value by asking for a boatload of elite prospects.
In December, Cincinnati Enquirer Reds reporter Jason Williams revealed that the Reds and White Sox had conversations recently about a trade for Cease and “Chicago wanted Edwin Arroyo, Rhett Lowder, Connor Phillips and at least one more prospect.”
Related: Family feud over control of the Baltimore Orioles reportedly on the horizon
Those players are ranked on MLB.com as Cincinnati’s top three prospects, only behind No. 1 player Noelvi Marte — who was promoted last season and made an impact in just 35 games. That means the Sox could ask the Orioles for top prospects like Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad, or Coby Mayo. All four players were either in Triple-A or were promoted to the MLB roster in 2023.
They could also be bold enough to ask for Henderson or Rutschman since they are still early in their careers and even more big-league-proven. Either way, it is a big ask for a pitcher who has not played in the All-Star game during his first five seasons.
Nevertheless, Cease is still under team control for two seasons at an affordable rate and is only 28 years old.