The San Diego Padres made a splash in the trade market by acquiring 28-year-old right-hander Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox. The deal included three prospects and veteran reliever Steven Wilson heading to Chicago.
Cease, who was the American League Cy Young runner-up in 2022, is known for his durability and leads all MLB pitchers in starts over the past three seasons. The Padres had to part with three of their top 10 organizational prospects to secure Cease’s services.
Despite his impressive resume, Cease has struggled with his command, resulting in high walk rates and low strike rates in recent years. This will be a key area of focus for the Padres as they look to maximize his potential.
In exchange for Cease, the White Sox received promising prospects Drew Thorpe and Jairo Iriarte. Thorpe, a 23-year-old right-hander, has excelled in the minor leagues but concerns linger about his fastball and overall arsenal. On the other hand, Iriarte, a 22-year-old right-hander, showcases a strong fastball and slider, making him an intriguing addition to the White Sox’s farm system.
Additionally, the White Sox acquired Samuel Zavala, an 18-year-old outfielder who has shown promise in the minor leagues with a good eye for the strike zone. As for Wilson, the 29-year-old reliever has posted solid numbers out of the Padres’ bullpen but may not have a significant impact with his new team.
Cease will play out the final two years of his current contract in San Diego, a move that is considered beneficial for his career development compared to his time in Chicago. Padres fans are optimistic about the impact Cease will have on their pitching staff as they aim to contend in the highly competitive NL West division.
Stay tuned to Poh Diaries for more updates on this trade and other news from around the league.
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