Heading into the MLB trade deadline in 2025, the San Diego Padres were rumored to be shopping starting pitcher Dylan Cease. With his contract set to expire after the 2025 season, the Padres were considering trading him for longer-term options.
But, they held onto the veteran starter, and will keep him through the end of the year. While he’s staying in San Diego through the rest of the season, Dennis Lin of The Athletic provided an important update on the potential for a Cease contract extension in San Diego.
“Team officials do not foresee much of a chance that Cease, another pending free agent and Scott Boras client, stays in San Diego,” Lin reported.
Lin’s update is clear: the Padres are not expected to retain Cease in the offseason. There’s been plenty of speculation that Cease’s final year in San Diego is 2025, but this report all-but confirms it.
He could change his mind a re-sign, but all signs are pointing towards the 29-year-old departing in the offseason to sign a huge deal elsewhere. Starting pitching isn’t easy to come by, and Cease has the potential to be great.
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In 2022 with the Chicago White Sox, Cease was the Cy Young runner-up with a 2.20 ERA, an AL-leading 6.4 WAR, a 14-8 record, one shutout, 227 strikeouts, and a career high 180 ERA+.
This season, Cease has a 4-10 record, 0.9 WAR, a 4.60 ERA, 162 strikeouts, and a 92 ERA+ in 23 starts and across 123.1 innings pitched. He’s been a little better than half as good as he was in his best season, signifying his struggles in 2025.
It’s his lowest ERA+ and ERA since his rookie year, when he had 14 starts as a 23-year-old during the White Sox’s 2019 season. Cease hasn’t been at his best, and yet, he’ll still likely command a solid market in free agency.
This report from Lin indicates that the veteran right-hander will leave in free agency, as he’s expected to land a solid deal as a free agent. San Diego will be losing at least one of their starters in the offseason, which could become a major position of need in the winter.
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