Here we are again, talking about the New York Yankees and their love affair with blockbuster trades.
But this time, there’s a twist.
The Yankees are rumored to be circling Dylan Cease, the San Diego Padres’ $13.75 million ace, in a deal that feels equal parts bold and desperate.
FanSided’s MLB analyst Thomas Carannante floated a tantalizing four-player trade idea.
The Yankees give up Clarke Schmidt, Everson Pereira, and Jorbit Vivas to bring Cease to New York.
On paper, it’s a straightforward blockbuster: an MLB-ready pitcher and two prospects for one of baseball’s most reliable arms.
But nothing is ever simple with the Yankees or the Padres.
Let’s break this down.
- The Yankees are looking to trade for Padres pitcher Dylan Cease in a deal that could involve Clarke Schmidt, Everson Pereira, and Jorbit Vivas. Cease is one of the most dependable pitchers, with just one year left on his contract.
- The Padres are dealing with money issues and may trade Cease to cut his $13.75 million salary. In return, they could get good value with Schmidt and two top prospects from the Yankees.
- If the Yankees get Cease, their pitching staff will become one of the strongest in baseball, joining big names like Gerrit Cole and Max Fried as they prepare for a strong 2025 season.
Why Dylan Cease Is Worth the Fuss
Dylan Cease has won the hearts of Yankees fans, and it’s no surprise, either.
Cease has the numbers and the durability; then you throw his star power in there to top it all off.
Last year with the Padres, Cease went 14-11 with a solid 3.47 ERA over 33 starts.
And over the last three seasons, he’s posted a 3.40 ERA and racked up 665 strikeouts.
That’s the level of consistency you can’t fake.
Four straight seasons with at least 32 starts are almost unheard of in today’s game, plus the fact that he’s finished top five in the Cy Young conversation twice means he’s a franchise-changer.
But he’s only got one year left under team control, and he’s made it pretty clear he plans to test free agency.
With a projected five-year, $108 million payday looming, Cease isn’t sticking around unless someone pays up big.
For the Yankees, this makes him a short-term fix.
But with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Max Fried, and Luis Gil already in the rotation, adding Cease would make their pitching staff absurdly good.
The Padres’ Mess
Let’s talk about the Padres, a team that can’t seem to decide what it wants to be.
In March 2024, they went all-in to grab Cease from the White Sox, but now they’re looking to unload him in classic San Diego fashion.
But the reality is that the Padres are financially underwater.
Reports from The Athletic make it clear: they’re over the luxury tax threshold and haven’t signed a single MLB free agent this offseason.
This is a franchise trying to dig itself out of a hole and trading Cease as their best shovel.
If they trade him, Clarke Schmidt could be a great replacement.
He’s a solid, affordable pitcher with a 2.85 ERA over 16 starts in 2024.
Not to mention, he’s under control until 2025, and that makes him a perfect budget replacement for Cease.
Add Everson Pereira, the Yankees’ 10th-ranked prospect, and Jorbit Vivas, ranked 17th, and you’ve got a package that could help the Padres patch things up—at least for now.
The Yankees’ Calculated Risk
Now, here’s where it gets interesting.
The Yankees don’t need Dylan Cease.
Their rotation is already strong, and they have enough firepower to compete in the AL.
But this isn’t about need—it’s about dominance.
Adding Cease would give them one of the scariest rotations in baseball, the kind that can carry a team deep into October.
Still, it’s not without risk.
Cease is a rental.
The Yankees would have him for one season unless they decide to pay more than $100 million to keep him.
And losing Schmidt, Pereira, and Vivas isn’t anything, especially for a player who might walk after one year.
Carannante argues that the Yankees should strike now before the Padres decide to hold onto Cease until the trade deadline when his value will skyrocket.
It’s a gamble, but one that could pay off in a big way.
Michael King Might Be in Play, Too
When you thought this story couldn’t get more convoluted, let’s talk about Michael King.
The Yankees traded him to the Padres in the Juan Soto deal, and now San Diego might be looking to send him back to New York.
King had a breakout 2024 season, posting a 2.95 ERA with 201 strikeouts over 173 2/3 innings.
But as he’s only making $8 million and won’t be a free agent until after 2025, it’s an enticing option for the Yankees.
With Marcus Stroman likely on the trading block, King could slot into the Yankees’ rotation or provide depth if injuries strike.
And if the Padres are as desperate as they seem, the Yankees could potentially snag Cease and King in a blockbuster mega-deal.
What’s Really Going On Here?
At its core, this trade rumor is about two teams with very different problems.
The Yankees are trying to build a juggernaut.
They’ve got the money, the prospects, and the ambition to make moves like this.
The Padres, meanwhile, are scrambling to clean up their financial mess.
Trading Dylan Cease might hurt San Diego in the short term, but it could help them avoid bigger problems down the road.
For the Yankees, this is about going all-in for 2025.
Adding Cease—or even Cease and King—could be the difference between another disappointing postseason exit and a parade in the Bronx.
But as we all know, none of this is guaranteed.
The Padres could well hold onto Cease until the trade deadline and hope to spark a bidding war.
The Yankees may decide the price is too high and walk away.
Or some other team could swoop in and steal the spotlight.
Whatever happens, one thing is clear: this offseason isn’t as quiet as it seems.
The Yankees and Padres are playing chess while everyone else watches, and the next move could change everything.
Stay tuned. This story is far from over.
