The frontline starting pitcher that has been talked about the most this offseason is White Sox ace Dylan Cease. However, there’s not even a guarantee that he’s dealt this offseason.
According to Jon Heyman, the White Sox are “pulling back” in trade discussions surrounding Cease, but he notes that could be because they are waiting for some other big dominos to fall in free agency, causing other teams interested in starting pitching — which basically every club trying to be competitive next year — to get desperate and up their offers.
Rivals are suggesting the White Sox are “pulling back” on Dylan Cease trade talks. What they’re likely doing is waiting to see who misses out on the coveted Japanese star Yanamoto. Still thought to be a good chance Cease is dealt.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 7, 2023
The White Sox are in an enviable position. There are other frontline starting pitchers potentially available via trade, but none of them come with multiple years of control. It will likely result in a bidding war for Dylan Cease, and if the White Sox don’t get what they want, they can walk away from the table completely and look to trade him at a later date, like next year’s trade deadline or next offseason.
I do believe the Braves have inquired and are serious about trying to work out a deal. They have the prospects to make it work, but it’s going to take a haul to acquire Cease, that might have to include both AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep, the Braves top two prospects.
There’s not a 50/50 chance the Braves land Dylan Cease. Hell, I would say it’s more like a 50/50 chance he’s even traded this offseason. Then you have to consider that there will be no shortage of suitors, and most of them have deeper farm systems than the Braves. It’s probably more like a 5-10% chance that Cease ends up in Atlanta, and it mostly depends on how badly Anthopoulos covets the White Sox ace, because there is a hypothetical package the Braves could put together where Chicago would be foolish to say no.
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Photo: Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire
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