The San Diego Padres appear poised to watch several important contributors walk in free agency this winter, but none would sting more than losing Dylan Cease. According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, Cease is projected to command roughly 187 million dollars, a price tag that is expected to be far beyond what San Diego can realistically match. As one of the elite arms available, he is expected to draw heavy interest from across the league, especially from contenders in need of frontline pitching.
FanSided analyst Chris Landers recently confirmed that Cease will move on from the Padres and secure a major contract with the Chicago Cubs. Landers noted that “there’s been chatter around Cease and the Cubs from pretty much the moment he balled out at Wrigley Field in Game 2 of the Wild Card series between San Diego and Chicago.” He added, “It’s not hard to see why: Jed Hoyer needs at least one starter this winter, and Cease has the best swing and miss stuff on the market.”
Given his profile, Cease is positioned to be one of the headline names of this offseason, and his expected deal could end up being one of the largest handed out. Chicago has the financial flexibility to meet his asking price, and they also have a glaring opening in their rotation that could push them toward an aggressive pursuit. Landing Cease would immediately elevate the club’s long term outlook and help stabilize a staff that needs a true top option.
As the offseason unfolds, Cease’s free agency is likely to remain a central storyline. His decision has the potential to shift the competitive landscape in the National League, depending on which club secures him. If the Cubs ultimately emerge as the winners of the sweepstakes, they would place themselves in a strong position moving forward, even creating a viable plan B should they face a future without Kyle Tucker.