Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees Reportedly Resume Dylan Cease Trade Talks
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The New York Yankees have re-engaged in trade talks with the Chicago White Sox and made a new offer for starting pitcher Dylan Cease, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reported Tuesday.
The news comes in the wake of injury concerns for reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole, who underwent an MRI on his elbow Monday. Yankees manager Aaron Boone shared an update on Cole's status Tuesday, and he doesn't believe Cole will be ready in time for Opening Day.
New York's next two starting pitchers are Carlos Rodón, who struggled mightily in 2023, and free agent addition Marcus Stroman. Each pitcher has made two All-Star Games in their respective careers, but neither is a true ace and the depth behind them is suspect.
Cease, meanwhile, is arguably the biggest name available on the trade block entering 2024.
The 28-year-old right-hander was the AL Cy Young runner-up in 2022. He leads all MLB pitchers with 97 starts over the past three seasons, going 34-24 with a 3.54 ERA, 1.257 WHIP, 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings and a 11.8 WAR in that time.
While the White Sox have pegged Cease as their Opening Day starter, the front office has still been fielding calls for their ace.
The Yankees' latest offer for Cease, per Nightengale, did not include outfield prospect Spencer Jones, though. Jones is ranked as the No. 2 player in New York's farm system and the No. 84 prospect in all of baseball, and he has long been considered a key asset in any potential trade the team makes for a starting pitcher.
It remains to be seen if Chicago budges on their asking price for Cease, or if the Yankees will have the patience to go through negotiations with the White Sox. With Opening Day just over two weeks away, New York could also look to free agents Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery, who are the top two pitchers remaining on the market.
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