Reports have connected Cease to trade negotiations with many teams since November, including the Dodgers. To the degree that the White Sox were eager to make a deal at all, it appears that the sense of urgency that drove those stories has subsided. The Dodgers changed their focus to a different trade target and instead acquired Tyler Glashow from the Rays of Tampa Bay.
It appears that the White Sox are about to rebuild, therefore Cease might still be traded. Chris Getz, the general manager of Chicago, has indicated what kind of package he would like in exchange.
According to Jason Williams of the Cincinnati Enquirer, three prospects—Rhett Lowder (41), Edwin Arroyo (57), and Connor Phillips (68)—who are listed in the Top 100 by MLB Pipeline were discussed by the White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds. In September, Baseball America released its most recent top 100 list, which included Lowder (45) and Phillips (86).
Bruce Levine, age 670 As previously reported by The Score, the Sox requested a four-player trade package from the Reds, including two position-player prospects and Petty and Lowder.
Theoretically, pitcher Ryan Pepiot and outfielder Jonny DeLuca had enough major league experience to be released from their “prospect status,” therefore the Dodgers did not send any prospects to Tampa Bay in exchange for pitcher Scott Stein and outfielder Manuel Margot. Both guys are instantly useful to the Rays. Four major leaguers were involved in the 2-for-2 trade.
Such a combination would not be attractive to the White Sox, who do not intend to compete in 2024. Thankfully, the Dodgers still have a number of excellent trade candidates in their minor league system and on their 40-man roster.
The two most disposable players are perhaps 26-year-old second baseman Miguel Vargas and infielder Michael Busch. Busch and Vargas saw two of the best routes to playing time in 2024 blocked by the Dodgers by acquiring designated hitter/pitcher Shohei Ohtani and relocating Mookie Betts to second base.
For most clubs, Busch and Vargas would be desirable signings. However, the breadth of Chicago’s talks with Cincinnati indicates that Getz may insist on more youthful talent to strengthen his farm system in any trade involving Cease.
MLB Pipeline presently has Busch ranked 44th. The Dodgers’ top prospect is a 22-year-old catcher named Dalton Rushing, who is ranked No. 43 overall. Three other Dodgers prospects are listed in MLB Pipeline’s top 100: pitcher Gavin Stone (79), catcher Diego Cartaya (56), and pitcher Nick Frasso (65)
The front staff of the Dodgers may believe that Cease is not as necessary now that Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto have joined. The 27-year-old right-hander has two more seasons left before he becomes a free agent. He is 43-35 with a 3.83 ERA in his career. The native of Southern California brings a rare blend of youth, skill, and durability to the trade and free-agent markets.
While there is still plenty to learn about Cease’s asking price, it is safe to assume that he won’t be inexpensive.