Atlanta Braves Trade Target: Dylan Cease
If the Atlanta Braves don't like the prices on the open market, then an obvious trade candidate to boost the rotation would be Dylan Cease.
With new White Sox GM Chris Getz essentially saying every player is available, a lot of teams will likely check in on starting pitcher Dylan Cease.
Even with the soon-to-be 28-year-old coming off a down season in which he posted a 4.58 ERA and 1.418 WHIP, a lot of teams would love to add him to their rotation. In 2022 he finished second in the AL Cy Young voting with a 2.20 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and a K/9 of 11.1.
Another great value for Cease is that he's made at least 32 starts in the past three seasons, showing signs of durability.
If there are some concerns with Cease, it's that his 4-seam fastball dropped 1 MPH in 2023, from 96.8 MPH to 95.6 MPH. That's a fairly significant drop for someone who relies on a heavy fastball to pair with his still outstanding slier that gets whiff rates in the 40 percent range.
He's also someone who has always had a high walk-rate of around 10 percent, but he combats that with a 30 percent strikeout rate and low batting average against.
Cease is under club control through 2025 in arbitration and is projected to make around $9 million in 2024. As a Scott Boras client, it is not likely he would be a strong candidate to acquire and extend like Alex Anthopoulos has done the past two offseasons with Matt Olson and Sean Murphy.
Cease is an Atlanta-area kid who might enjoy the idea of playing at home.
Despite the issues presented above, he'd be a great fit for the Braves and give them another option atop the rotation -- especially in 2025 if Max Fried can't be extended.
Trade Proposal for Dylan Cease
While there may be some disagreement on Cease's actual worth as a player, most would agree he's a fairly cheap top-of-the-rotation arm -- that's going to cost a hefty price with two years of control.
There likely isn't a scenario where the Braves acquire Cease without giving up at least one of AJ Smith-Shawver or Hurston Waldrep.
If AA can somehow pull that off, go ahead and give him the GM of the Year award.
My proposal would be AJSS, Vaughn Grissom, and Owen Murphy.
Perhaps you throw in a lower-level prospect to dream on like Diego Benitez or Geraldo Quintero as well.
I understand giving up AJSS hurts -- and he very well could be Dylan Cease in a couple of years -- but you're trading for a proven guy you know can help you win now.
AA has been great about making moves for the present and future during this run, but it's time to make moves to win another World Series now, and Cease helps that happen.
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