AL Contender Suddenly Joins Dylan Cease Trade Sweepstakes
By Jovan Alford
Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease has consistently been mentioned in trade rumors this offseason, with no team meeting Chicago’s price to acquire the frontline starting pitcher.
Almost two weeks ago, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reported that a National League exec told him Cease “doesn’t get moved at this point,” and the White Sox aren’t “budging on price.”
However, it appears as if an AL West team is interested in potentially acquiring the services of Cease.
White Sox Rumors: Mariners Have Quietly Entered Trade Talks With Chicago
USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale wrote on Saturday that the Seattle Mariners have “quietly entered” trade talks with the White Sox for Cease. Nightengale adds Chicago would want a package centered around Bryce Miller or Bryan Woo.
It’s not surprising to see the White Sox wanting a young, controllable arm in return for Cease that they can help him with their potential rebuild.
Last season, Cease struggled on the mound with a 7-9 record, 4.58 ERA, and 214 strikeouts in 177 innings. However, when Cease is on his game, he’s a Cy Young candidate, which we saw in 2022 (14-8, 2.20 ERA).
As for what the White Sox could get in return for Cease, Miller or Woo aren’t bad options, as both pitchers showed flashes as rookies last season. The 25-year-old Miller had an 8-7 record, 4.32 ERA, and 119 strikeouts in 131.1 innings (25 starts). Miller gave up his fair share of home runs last season (18 HRs allowed), but that’s to be expected from a rookie.
Meanwhile, the 23-year-old Woo had identical numbers to his teammate, Miller, last season. The 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher posted a 4-5 record, 4.21 ERA, and 93 strikeouts in 87.2 innings (18 starts). Woo only allowed 13 home runs last year, but he also made seven fewer starts than Miller.
Nonetheless, whether the White Sox trade Cease now or at the deadline this summer, Chicago is still considered a long shot (+3500 on FanDuel Sportsbook) to win the AL Central this season.
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