The New York Mets will start the season without key pitchers Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas. While both are expected to return, the team may still look to bolster its rotation.
CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa has identified San Diego Padres pitcher Dylan Cease as a prime trade candidate before the deadline, with the Mets as a potential landing spot.
“Just about every Padre who is making real money and doesn’t have a no-trade clause has been mentioned in trade rumors the last few months, including Cease,” Axisa wrote. “Normally, I would say San Diego will have to fall out of the race for a trade to become a real possibility, though I’m not sure that’s the case here. Money is obviously tight… and Cease will make a healthy $13.75 million in 2025, his final year of team control.”
Cease has been a dominant force, finishing top five in Cy Young voting twice and posting a 3.40 ERA over the last four seasons. He was the AL Cy Young runner-up in 2022 and remains a workhorse, making 30-plus starts in each of the last four seasons.
Even with a healthy Manaea and Montas, the Mets’ rotation doesn’t match up to the NL powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers. If Cease hits the trade market, New York will likely be among the teams making a strong push to land the ace.
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