Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease could end up being the next big-name player to change cities now that Yoshinobu Yamamoto has landed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on a huge contract.
Chicago was letting the Yamamoto situation play out before ultimately intensifying talks relating to the former Cy Young runner-up.
But based on multiple reports, the Sox’ asking price for Cease might make it impossible for them to move him.
Jason Williams of the Cincinnati Enquirer indicates that the White Sox were demanding a five-player return from the Cincinnati Reds for Cease.
That included No. 2 Reds prospect, pitcher Rhett Lowder. Two other top-five prospects in that of shortstop Edwin Arroyo and pitcher Connor Phillips were also included in Chicago’s ask. The same thing can be said about Reds No. 6 prospect, pitcher Chase Petty.
Related: 4 Dylan Cease trade scenarios
Chicago White Sox demands in Dylan Cease trade are not logical
In short, Cincinnati was not going to give up that type of bounty for a player in Cease who is coming off a down 2023 season.
- Dylan Cease stats (2023): 7-9 record, 4.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP
Cease, 27, is under contract through two more arbitration-eligible seasons. He also finished second in the AL Cy Young voting back in 2022, pitching to a 14-8 record with a 2.20 ERA and 1.11 WHIP while striking out north of 11 batters per nine innings.
Even then, this ask just isn’t going to cut it. Teams will not be yielding that type of a bounty for Cease on the MLB trade market.
In addition to the Reds, Cease has been linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees.
But in order for him to be moved, Chicago will have to lower its ridiculous asking price. That’s for sure.