As the Los Angeles Dodgers look to bolster their roster for a run at the 2024 World Series, a new report claims the organization is pursuing a major trade for one of the better young starting pitchers in the American League.
For the third straight year, the Los Angeles Dodgers posted 100 wins and were able to hang a National League West banner for a consecutive season. However, they were again unable to return to the World Series after winning it all during MLB’s pandemic-shortened 2020 season.
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It has been a frustrating last few seasons since the franchise has only won 90 or more games three straight years just a few times in their history, and a few championship-level teams came up short after impressive seasons. That is why some massive splashes are expected from LA in the free agent and trade market this winter.
For months, all signs have pointed to the Dodgers being favorites to sign two-way superstar and reigning AL MVP Shohei Ohtani. The Japanese All-Star will surely bolster their lineup in 2024, however, he will be unable to make an impact on the starting rotation as he recovers from a second Tommy John surgery over the next year.
Los Angeles Dodgers pursuing a blockbuster deal for Dylan Cease
Starting pitching was a notable weakness for the roster in 2023 and it showed in how they had to lean so heavily on franchise legend Clayton Kershaw to be their ace at 35 years old. That is a reason why they have also been linked to Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto in recent weeks. However, a new report suggests they could be targeting a different young star to improve the starting staff.
On Sunday, USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightingale reported that the “Dodgers are in trade talks with the Chicago White Sox in an attempt to acquire ace Dylan Cease. The Dodgers badly need pitching help, and the White Sox badly need to rebuild their roster. “
Cease has quietly become one of the better young pitchers in the AL since making his big league debut in 2019. He has twice won 13 or more games (in 2021 and 2022) for a White Sox team that reached the postseason in two of his five seasons with the franchise.
- Dylan Cease stats (Career): 43-35 record, 3.83 ERA, 1.305 WHIP, 214 SO, 177 IP
While he had a down year in 2023 (7-9 record, 4.58 ERA) he is only a year removed from finishing second in voting for the AL Cy Young Award. He has also proven to be very durable by making 32 or more starts over the last three years.
Another positive to a potential deal for the Los Angeles Dodgers is he is still under team control for the next two seasons and whatever he gets in arbitration in 2024 and 2025 will still be lower than what he would be able to get if the 27-year-old were available in free agency.