Chicago White Sox Trade Ace Dylan Cease to San Diego Padres in Major Deal

After weeks of speculation, the Chicago White Sox have reportedly struck a deal to send starting pitcher Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the White Sox have agreed to trade Cease to the Padres in what is shaping up to be a blockbuster move.

In return, the Padres are sending right-handed pitchers Drew Thorpe and Jairo Iriarte to the White Sox, as reported by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. Thorpe, ranked as the No. 5 prospect in San Diego’s farm system, and Iriarte, ranked No. 8, are part of the package heading back to Chicago.

Initially, the White Sox seemed inclined to hold onto Cease until the trade deadline this summer. However, the Padres emerged as the frontrunners in the bidding war, beating out contenders like the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers.

Cease’s recent performance saw him post a 7-9 record with a 4.58 ERA and a 1.418 WHIP in the last season, marking a slight downturn from his previous outings. Nevertheless, the 28-year-old right-hander has shown flashes of brilliance, finishing as the AL Cy Young runner-up in 2022.

Over the past three seasons, Cease has been one of the most durable pitchers in MLB, making 97 starts and accumulating a 3.54 ERA and a 1.257 WHIP. His consistency and track record make him a valuable addition to any pitching rotation.

The Padres, facing a depleted pitching staff after key departures, now have Cease under team control for the next two seasons. This acquisition provides a much-needed boost to their rotation, particularly after the departure of NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell and other notable pitchers.

With Cease joining the Padres, there may be adjustments to the team’s starting lineup as they prepare for the upcoming season opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers in South Korea. However, his arrival adds depth and quality to their pitching arsenal, enhancing their competitiveness in the challenging NL West division.