Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease has been floated in MLB trade rumors heavily this offseason, with the Baltimore Orioles viewed as his likeliest trade destination. However, a blockbuster deal between the American League teams might have encountered some issues.
Baltimore and other MLB teams have maintained active trade dialogue with the White Sox throughout the winter. Chicago has remained open to dealing its ace who still has two years of club control. With some of the top pitchers in MLB free agency now signed, Cease’s market has intensified.
- Dylan Cease stats 2023: 4.58 ERA, 214-79 K-BB, 1.42 WHIP in 177 innings pitched
Related: Baltimore Orioles reportedly won’t need to trade to prospect for Dylan Cease
The Orioles have been in the hunt for a front-line starter who could strengthen their playoff rotation without dramatically increasing payroll. That has limited their options in free agency, but Cease has emerged as a top target for Baltimore’s front office. Unfortunately, help may not be imminent.
ESPN’s Buster Olney spoke to multiple MLB executives who believe that Cease will remain on the White Sox roster into the regular season, with a league-wide belief that the All-Star pitcher will be kept into July.
Furthermore, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the White Sox are refusing to move off their price of a return centered on receiving multiple top prospects for Cease. Until that price is met, Chicago is reportedly willing to hold onto Cease.
Finally, Jon Heyman of the New York Post recently reported that the White Sox are comfortable keeping Cease up until the MLB trade deadline. While a deal in July is likely, Chicago could keep him even longer if the front office decides to move him with one year left on his deal.
Related: Latest on Dylan Cease trade talks
- Dylan Cease contract: 48 million salary in 2024, arbitration-eligible in 2025, 2026 free agent
Stashing Cease on the roster could potentially increase his trade value. The 28-year-old righty walked 10.1 percent of batters last season with a .247 batting average allowed, the highest opponents’ average he’s allowed since 2019. As a result, Cease’s ERA ballooned to 4.58.
However, a .330 batting average on balls in play and a 3.72 FIP suggest Cease is closer to the starting pitcher who posted a 2.20 ERA with a 30.4 percent strikeout rate and a .189 batting average allowed in 2022. If he can recapture that form in the first half of the 2024 MLB season, the Orioles would have to pay more for Cease.
