The San Diego Padres are poised to be buyers at the MLB trade deadline, targeting a left fielder and catcher among their primary needs. While many of the Padres’ top prospects are available, there is reportedly also an ace available for interested clubs.
Buster Olney of ESPN reported that starting pitcher Dylan Cease could be available at the MLB trade deadline. San Diego is open to moving its All-Star pitcher, especially in a market thin on front-line starters. In return, the Padres want MLB talent who can help them win in October.
With that in mind, let’s examine a few potential trade partners for the Padres in a Cease deal.
Boston Red Sox
It’s no secret that the Boston Red Sox are in the market for starting pitching at the MLB trade deadline. While Dylan Cease is not pitching particularly well in a contract year, he’s a two-time All-MLB Second Team selection who compiled a 3.40 ERA in 98 starts from 2022–24. That’s someone worth betting on. San Diego has a glaring need in left field, one that Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran fits perfectly. The Padres would need to include prospects or one of their relievers, since Duran is under contract for 2025 with a club option for 2026, but the two clubs align as great trade partners.
- Dylan Cease stats (ESPN): 4.59 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, .243 batting average allowed. .727 OPS allowed in 113.2 innings pitched
Related: Jarren Duran Trade Landing Spots, including Padres
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees need another starting pitcher with Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt lost for the season. Ideally, they would get a pitcher under team control beyond this season. However, given the club’s interest in Eugenio Suárez, there could be a path to acquiring a third baseman and Dylan Cease.
- Dylan Cease contract (Spotrac): $13.75 million salary
New York could have what San Diego is looking for. While Ben Rice wouldn’t solve the Padres’ left field problem, he has made 12 appearances at catcher this season. It would be a gamble on San Diego’s part, especially since Rice has just a .205/.299/.384 triple-slash line with a .683 OPS since June 1 (Baseball Reference). New York trades from a position of depth to acquire a playoff starter, while San Diego gets a potential catcher for 2025 who it can play at first base in the future.
Read More: Steven Kwan Trade Landing Spots, including Padres
Chicago Cubs
If the Padres are intent on acquiring a quality left fielder or catcher in a Dylan Cease trade, it gets complicated. However, there’s a far clearer path to a deal if San Diego can navigate its way to a three-team trade. In this scenario, the Padres and Chicago Cubs both send prospects to a team like the Los Angeles Angels (left fielder Taylor Ward). San Diego acquires its left fielder and the Cubs take a chance on Cease, hoping he returns to All-Star form near the front of the playoff rotation.
Related: MLB Trade Deadline Predictions
New York Mets
As with the Cubs, this would likely need to be a three-team Dylan Cease trade between the Padres, the New York Mets and a club like the Baltimore Orioles. Baltimore gets to choose one of the Mets’ top prospects, along with lower-tier prospects from San Diego, with Cease headed to New York. As part of the deal, Orioles’ All-Star outfielder Ryan O’Hearn fills the void in the Padres’ lineup in left field. All three clubs could get what they want.
Related: San Diego Padres game today, Padres schedule 2025
