Padres GM Reveals Motivation Behind Dylan Cease Trade

The Padres added a true ace to their rotation.

The San Diego Padres shocked many on Wednesday by acquiring starting pitcher Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox. Cease now gives the Padres another ace to work with in their rotation and vastly improves their pitching staff.

The right-hander was subject to trade rumors all offseason, but now has some finality over where he'll pitch in 2024 and beyond. Cease was one of the better pitchers available via trade or free agency all winter, and Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller explained the decision to sacrifice four prospects in order to land him.

“If you’re going to be serious about winning, which we are, this was something we targeted all offseason long. Obviously, getting somebody of the quality of Dylan Cease, I think, speaks to the fact that we think we have a chance to win and compete.”

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 Padres general manager A.J. Preller, via The Athletic

Landing Cease keeps him away from some of the Padres' other rivals, including the NL West favorite, the Los Angeles Dodgers. Los Angeles had an interest in Cease earlier in the winter before they acquired other arms. 

“He’s 28 years old; he’s entering the prime of his career. Any time you can line up quality starting pitching like that, we’re interested in those type of deals.”

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Preller, via The San Diego Union-Tribune

Cease finished second in the American League Cy Young Award voting in 2022, showing his effectiveness as a pitcher. While his 2023 was a little shaky, going to a competitive team like the Padres should bring out the best in him.

"He brings a lot to the table. He brings the ability to miss bats. ... It's a power repertoire, but power with durability."

— Preller, via MLB.com

This is a move the Padres needed to make to stay relevant in a division. Although Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery were lingering in free agency and are worthy top-of-the-rotation arms, it was increasingly clear the Padres couldn't fit a similar pitcher under their budget constraints. 

For $8 million, Cease gives the Padres a nice three-headed monster with starters Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove leading the rotation. The extra durability and depth Cease provides can make the Padres a playoff contender, even in a tough division.