Astros Targeting Dylan Cease In A Trade

As the trade deadline approaches, many rumors will float around, especially with the Chicago White Sox. The latest rumor is that the Houston Astros are trying to get Dylan Cease in a trade with the Sox.

This could be an interesting trade scenario for Cease, as I am sure the Sox didn't anticipate the Astros getting in on the action, considering they only have one top-100 prospect, but it is an interesting storyline to follow as the deadline gets closer.

Potential Return

It was reported earlier that Cease was one of the few untouchables on the White Sox. How true that report really is remains to be seen, as the only true untouchable on the team should be Luis Robert.

Cease is having a down year after a great season last year. He is still a great pitcher, but if you can get a haul for him, there is no reason not to trade him. He will be a free agent in two years and he will command a large contract. To make matters worse, he is a Scott Boras client, and they never seem to get anything done with the Sox, as he likes to get his clients the most money.

That being said, trading Cease can be advantageous, but are the Astros the best landing spot in terms of a potential return?

The Astros currently only have one top-100 prospect, Drew Gilbert, their first-round pick from last year. He is a very solid outfielder and would most likely be a part of the package. But, he alone is not enough to get the deal started.

They do have Hunter Brown, who has recently graduated off the prospect list and is a very solid young pitcher and could develop into something more. He would also most likely be included in any deal. If the price is as high as the reports make it seem, both Gilbert and Brown would most likely not cut it.

The Astros could also include their first-round pick from this past draft as a PTBNL, but he is a shortstop and the White Sox have plenty of those in the system.

I can't imagine the Astros including much more talent from the MLB roster, as they are in a competitive win-now window and they probably don't want to take talent from the major league roster, as that could change their chemistry and perhaps change the style of play.

Will It Happen?

With all things considered, if the Sox decide to trade Dylan Cease, it is not likely to be the Astros. Unless the Sox are high on Brown, Gilbert, and their first-round pick from this year, it doesn't seem like they are a match for this trade.

But, if the Astros are desperate for Cease and will do anything to get him and they could somehow include more prospects to sweeten the deal, then it could happen. That is unlikely though.

At this point, I don't see the Sox trading Cease at the deadline, unfortunately, and if they did, it would be to a team with a much more talented prospect pool to choose from.