Dylan Cease's Trade Prospects Rise After Yamamoto Signing

The MLB Hot Stove has been lukewarm for the majority of MLB teams not named the Dodgers. But with free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto finally off the board, the trade market for Dylan Cease is expected to pick back up. 

The trade rumors surrounding Cease have died down recently as teams waited to see where Yamamoto would land. The Dodgers finally inked him to a 12-year, $325 million contract. This could be one of the best-case scenarios for the White Sox. 

The Dodgers were one of the first teams rumored to be in on Dylan Cease but according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Dodgers just traded away one of the prospects the White Sox were interested in a package for Tyler Glasnow. Nightingale reports that the White Sox were interested in right-hander Ryan Pepiot as part of a possible return package for Cease. However, Pepiot was shipped to Tampa Bay along with outfielder Jonny DeLuca. 

With the additions of Glasnow and Yamaoto the Dodgers no longer need Cease in their rotation. However, since the Dodgers have stockpiled some of the biggest arms available there are still plenty of suitors for Cease. 

In an interview with 670 The Score on Friday, MLB insider Jon Heyman said that the White Sox should still get a “haul” for Cease. He also added that four of a team's top ten prospects are still in play in a return package. 

The Orioles seem to be the front runners. They have a clear need for starting pitching, a deep farm system, and would save money in free agency. Heyman also said the Dodgers are still in play for Cease. However, without Pepiot the odds of them landing Cease is slim.

Other teams that have been linked to Cease include the Braves and Cardinals. Mets and Reds. The Mets were in the Yamamoto sweepstakes but ultimately got outbid by the Dodgers. After whiffing on Yamamoto they could be aggressive in their pursuit of a top-of-the-rotation starter. 

Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery are the top two free-agent arms available. Cease is arbitration-eligible but would likely be much cheaper than Snell and Montgomery over the next two seasons. 

Cease is coming off a down season, however, his 3.54 ERA and 3.40 FIP over the past three seasons is attractive to any team in need of a top-of-the-rotation starter.