Reds: Lucas Giolito and 3 more pitchers Cincinnati should target

Reds rumors: If the White Sox sell Dylan Cease, the Reds need to go all-in for him

This trade comes with a huge “if” surrounding it. It can only be put into motion if the White Sox make Dylan Cease available to be acquired at the trade deadline. As of now, it’s being reported that Chicago is looking to hang onto him, but that idea could absolutely change depending on what his value is at the trade deadline. And if he becomes available, the Reds have the prospect capital to make a deal happen and they should absolutely do their best to make it happen.

This trade would require a haul of prospects from Cincinnati, likely similar to what they received for Luis Castillo last season. With that being said, let me sell you on why Cease would fit in Cincinnati, even though his production sells itself. Cease is just 27 years old, fitting perfectly to play his prime years during the Reds World Series window. To make matters better, he’s far from a rental as he has 2.5 more years of team control.

Cease finished 2022 with a 14-8 record and a 2.20 ERA as he finished second in the AL Cy Young race. For reasons like this, Chicago will likely look to keep him. But if they make him available, the Reds could offer a package of Edwin Arroyo, Chase Petty and others to get the deal done. Petty is mega-talented, but he’s behind the likes of Connor Phillips and even 2023 first rounder Rhett Lowder. Arroyo is far from a finished product, but he is incredibly blocked in the infield in the Reds organization. For a controllable ace like Cease, the better question would be why not Cincinnati?