Overview

• The Padres and Dylan Cease have agreed to a one-year, $13.75 million contract for 2025, his final arbitration-eligible year before free agency.
• Reports suggest the Padres are open to trading Cease, with the Blue Jays and Braves among teams speculated to be interested in acquiring the star pitcher.
• A proposed trade idea involving the Blue Jays includes sending top pitching prospects Yariel Rodríguez and Ricky Tiedemann to San Diego in exchange for Cease.
• The Braves, seeking to replace key rotation losses, are also seen as a potential trade partner but would need to part with top prospects for what may be a one-year rental.
• Cease, a Cy Young candidate, had a strong 2024 regular season but struggled in the playoffs, raising questions about his postseason reliability.