Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease will be the focal point of many conversations at the Winter Meetings this week.
The White Sox are expected to trade Cease before the start of the season. Recent reporting has suggested that the White Sox may be waiting for the top of the free agent market to settle before engaging teams on a potential trade of Cease.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported on Sunday night from the Winter Meetings that four teams have already spoken with the White Sox concerning a trade for Cease.
Latest on Dylan Cease trade market: The Reds, Orioles, Braves, and Dodgers are among the teams speaking with the White Sox, as we discussed on @MLBNetwork. pic.twitter.com/AV95dFFPO6
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 4, 2023
The Braves are an interesting team to keep an eye on for Cease. The Braves kicked off the activity at the Winter Meetings on Sunday night when they acquired former MLB top prospect, Jarred Kelenic, from the Seattle Mariners. Initial speculation has suggested that Kelenic could be used in an offer from the Braves to the White Sox for Cease.
Both the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles were teams that had expressed interest in trading for Cease at the MLB Trade Deadline this past season. In the hour leading up to the deadline, there was a belief that the Orioles and White Sox may be able to finalize a deal but Baltimore ultimately acquired Jack Flaherty from the St. Louis Cardinals.
The White Sox may hold off on a Cease trade until after Japanese free agent starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto signs. The Los Angeles Dodgers are heavily involved in Yamamoto’s sweepstakes. If the Dodgers miss out on Yamamoto, they could intensify their pursuit of Cease.