Inside The Mets

Mets Trading For Dylan Cease is 'Unlikely' For This Reason, Per Insider

There's one clear reason why a trade for Padres hurler Dylan Cease isn't likely right now for the New York Mets.
Grant Young|
Sep 7, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) looks on after a three run second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Chadd Cady-Imagn Images
Sep 7, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease (84) looks on after a three run second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Chadd Cady-Imagn Images | Chadd Cady-Imagn Images

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In a January 27 article, The Athletic's MLB insider Ken Rosenthal wrote, "One reason the open market remains clogged is that teams continue to discuss trades. The Seattle Mariners’ Luis Castillo and San Diego Padres’ Dylan Cease and Michael King, for example, are among the starting pitchers who remain in play."

This sparked some intrigue over whether the New York Mets might inquire into trading for either Cease or King. While they seemingly already have enough starting pitching depth, the ever-present risk of injuries makes it so there can never be enough quality starters available on an MLB team.

On January 29, Mets On SI's Pat Ragazzo wrote, "According to sources briefed on the situation, the Mets have spoken to the San Diego Padres about star pitchers Dylan Cease and Michael King who are both available via trade."

While this might sound optimistic, The Athletic's Will Sammon explained why the prospect of Cease heading to Queens is highly unlikely (at this point) in a January 31 article.

"The New York Mets feel good about their starting pitchers, but the club is always willing to engage in perceived opportunities. That’s why the Mets checked in with the San Diego Padres about starting pitcher Dylan Cease," Sammon wrote.

"However such a trade is unlikely right now, people familiar with the matter said, in part because of the potential acquisition cost."

He then added, "In a trade, Cease should fetch the Padres either major-league talent, an attractive batch of prospects or a combination. After receiving five players in their trade with the New York Yankees involving Juan Soto ahead of last season, the Padres probably have their sights set high."

Sammon later said, "The price tag for Cease can always evolve. In theory, the cost should be higher now than closer to the trade deadline because a team would receive a full season’s worth of Cease’s production. The price for Cease is also higher now than at the deadline because any team that acquires him now would gain the right to make him a qualifying offer and receive draft-pick compensation."

Therefore, Mets fans might have to wait until the trade deadline to see whether acquiring Cease becomes more realistic.

Read More:

- Mets Sign Infielder Nick Madrigal; What it Could Mean For Jose Iglesias

- Insider Says Pete Alonso 'Badly' Wants to Stay With Mets

- Should the Mets Call Padres About Dylan Cease, Michael King?

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Grant Young
GRANT YOUNG

Grant Young covers the New York Mets and Women’s Basketball for Sports Illustrated’s ‘On SI’ sites. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing from the University of San Francisco, where he also played Division 1 baseball for five years. He believes Mark Teixeira should have been a first ballot MLB Hall of Fame inductee.

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