Pitchers are steadily disappearing from the free agent market, but teams may still strengthen their staffs without going over budget by looking at the MLB trade market.
Utilizing their own players and prospects, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves have already added two significant players to their rosters: Chris Sale from the Boston Red Sox and Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Milwaukee Brewers’ three-time All-Star Corbin Burnes, Miami’s Jesus Luzardo, the Cleveland Guardians’ Shane Bieber, and the Chicago White Sox’s Dylan Cease—one of the most sought-after arms of the offseason—remain appealing options for teams looking to acquire a quality starting pitcher through trade.
Even though the 28-year-old right-hander had a disappointing season, the market still views him as a valuable trade asset. Numerous postseason competitors have reportedly questioned the White Sox about him.
After Cease concluded last season with the highest WHIP among eligible American League starters at 1.42 and a 4.58 ERA, Chicago agreed to a $8 million deal with Scott Boras’s client to avoid arbitration. That is a far cry from his 2022 AL Cy Young Award finalist status with 2.20 ERA and 1.11 WHIP.
His 2022 and 2023 ERAs differ significantly. The two regular seasons’ FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) differences are 3.03 and 3.72, respectively, which is a significantly smaller but still noteworthy differential.
What transpired with the former farmhand for the Chicago Cubs last season? Is the Opening Day starter for 2023 still aces? Is he worth the packages that the White Sox are requesting from teams in possible trades?
Major League Insider Bob Nightengale reports that White Sox General Manager Chris Getz has discussed moving Cease with numerous teams, but nothing close has been discussed as of yet. According to recent rumors, the AL Central club is still holding out for two elite minor-league prospects and two additional prospects in exchange.
The White Sox are holding out for the greatest return possible despite the weeks-long speculations. Since the Sox aren’t really in the running for a postseason berth and Cease is getting closer to free agency, it seems like a trade would benefit all parties involved.
Cease’s ERA was 3.91 in 2021; the next two years, it was 2.20 and 4.58. For run prevention, he’s the ultimate roller coaster experience.
To ever record a 2.20 ERA again, Cease walks too many batters (4.02 BB/9 in his career) and permits too much strong contact. It’s quite simple to spot the anomaly when examining his BABIP (Batting Average on Balls in Play) throughout the previous three campaigns: