Former Chicago Cubs Farmhand Predicted to Get Traded to Division Rivals
For a while during the offseason, as the Chicago Cubs were searching for a top-end starting pitcher, there was some thought they might be able to put together a trade package that would land them their former farmhand.
After building their pipeline into one of the best in the league, the Cubs have plenty of assets that are appealing enough to other teams that could land a player of Dylan Cease's caliber.
Ultimately, they decided not to go that direction and signed Shota Imanaga.
With the Chicago White Sox likely holding onto their ace until the trade deadline, there's still another opportunity for the front office to get their 2014 sixth round draft pick back.
Cease was part of the trade in July 2017 that sent him, Eloy Jimenez, Matt Rose, and Bryant Flete to the White Sox in exchange for Jose Quintana.
For Chicago to make a trade with their crosstown rivals, they would likely need to be seriously contending in the NL Central division with a very good chance at making the playoffs.
Jed Hoyer and his front office have shown they aren't overly aggressive and probably wouldn't make a move of this magnitude if they don't have a chance to win something.
The Cubs will have some competition again this year and seemingly will battle it out between the Cincinnati Reds and the revamped St. Louis Cardinals for the division title.
Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report thinks it could be their NL Central rival Cardinals who land Cease at the trade deadline.
"Baltimore has been one of the most frequently suggested landing spots for Cease, but the Cardinals might make the most sense here," he writes.
Based on the previous asking prices from the White Sox, it will take a lot to get them to give up their ace who has two years remaining before he hits free agency.
However, Miller points out this could be a long-term play for St. Louis as both Kyle Gibson and Lance Lynn were brought in on one-year deals with club options. Cease could be the one they look to pair with Sonny Gray moving forward.
If this happens, that would be tough for the Cubs to swallow.
Not only did they have to see their former farmhand almost win a Cy Young Award with their city rivals, but they might have to face him inside their division for years to come.
