MLB Rumors: Eduardo Rodriguez race, Angels money quote, Dylan Cease
By Mark Powell
MLB Rumors: Are the White Sox taking calls on Dylan Cease?
Dylan Cease isn’t going anywhere.
Yes, the Chicago White Sox are open for business, selling at the MLB trade deadline with an eye towards competing in 2024. But, they view Cease as part of that competitive plan.
Cease is a former AL Cy Young candidate and AL All-Star. He’s one of the best pitchers in the American League when he’s healthy. It should also be noted that Cease has two arbitration years left on his contract. With the likes of Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Lance Lynn and more off the books, perhaps the front office can focus on extending Cease, rather than putting it off until this offseason.
MLB Trade Rumors outlined why Cease would be such an attractive trade commodity were he available.
"“The 27-year-old Cease hasn’t pitched as well in 2023 as he did in 2022. He’s sporting a solid 4.04 ERA with an excellent 28% strikeout rate and a 9.6% walk rate through 113 2/3 frames so far this season. He’s been particularly effective over his past nine starts, however, firing 51 innings of 3.00 ERA ball while punching out one-third of his opponents and recording an improved 8.5% walk rate. Cease is earning an affordable $5.7MM in his first season of arbitration eligibility and will be due a raise on that salary next season.”"
Cease’s price tag, along with his ace potential, would make him the most valuable trade commodity in a relatively thin market were the White Sox to shop him. Instead, Chicago is doing the right thing while hoping to compete in 2024.