While the New York Mets would love to add talented San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease to their rotation before the 2025 season begins, a new MLB rumor seems to end any chance of that happening.
This has been a very good offseason for the New York Mets. They entered the fall/winter with several holes in their pitching staff. They addressed them all with a slew of signings, including bringing back fan-favorite Sean Manaea and reliever AJ Minter.
However, they also achieved two huge goals. First, to the surprise of many, they were able to lure away New York Yankees superstar Juan Soto with a historic $765 million deal. Then after months of on-and-off discussions, they finally re-signed homegrown All-Star Pete Alonso to a deal that worked for both sides.
For the most part, it seems like the New York Mets 2025 roster is set. However, there have been rumblings the organization would like to add another starting pitcher. And they have been linked to a pursuit of Padres hurler Dylan Cease. However, an update from New York Post MLB insider Jon Heyman dumps cold water on the possibility of a trade.
- Dylan Cease stats (2024): 14-11 record, 3.47 ERA, 1.067 WHIP, 224 strikeouts, 189.1 innings pitched
MLB rumor reveals massive Dylan Cease trade asking price for New York Mets
“If the Mets are going to land Dylan Cease, Padres targets likely include Brandon Sproat, Jett Williams, and Luisangel Acuña,” Heyman wrote. “The Mets wouldn’t do a Sproat-Williams combo for Garrett Crochet so no chance they do it for a rental.”
Sproat and Williams ended 2024 ranked as the top two prospects in the Mets farm system by MLB.com. Acuna landed at 12th in their final rankings. While Cease is a talented impact pitcher, he has never been an All-Star during his six seasons in the league.
- Dylan Cease contract: One year, $13.7 million
Owner Steve Cohen has made it clear over the last year that he wants the organization to build its farm system up to elite levels. While he is willing to spend big — as we saw this winter — giving away elite assets for a good but not great pitcher doesn’t fit the team’s long-term strategy.