The New York Yankees are looking beyond left-handers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, the top two free agents still available, in their hunt for a new starting pitcher. Additionally, they are exploring trade options, one of which is Chicago White Sox righty Dylan Cease, the best starter on the market.
Major-league sources informed on the conversations claim that the Yankees and Orioles are among the teams expressing “sincere” interest in Cease, and that the White Sox are contemplating offers for him. But other teams are also very serious. The Dodgers, Cardinals, and Red Sox are a few of the teams that could be involved, though the precise list of suitors is unknown.
In exchange for outfielders Trent Grisham, Alex Verdugo, and Juan Soto, the Yankees have already traded seven pitchers and catcher Kyle Higashioka, jeopardizing their depth. However, since the Dodgers lost the auction for Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, they may be more likely to pursue Cease, who will likely cost $25 million over the course of his final two years of arbitration, rather than the anticipated agreements of at least $150 million for Snell or Montgomery.
In an attempt to add more talent, the White Sox almost certainly plan to deal Cease, their most valued trade asset. According to sources, they are keeping an open mind regarding the return’s makeup and aren’t necessarily leaning for a club that might have pitchers who are ready for the major leagues.