MLB Rumors: Dodgers, White Sox Discuss Trade For Star Pitcher

 

The Los Angeles Dodgers are desperate to add some help in their starting rotation, and according to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today, have been discussing with the Chicago White Sox the possibility of a Dylan Cease trade. 

The Dodgers want Dylan Cease. 👀 https://t.co/rpALD5ahJu pic.twitter.com/cXnSKqtUrN

— theScore (@theScore) November 19, 2023

The runner-up for the Cy Young Award in 2022, Cease came down to earth a bit in 2023, but would still be a fine front-line starter to add to a Dodgers rotation that's been decimated by injuries the past year or two. 

New White Sox GM Chris Getz has already admitted that "there are no untouchables” on his roster, and that “I don’t like our team,” and it’s “not a well-rounded club.”

The Dodgers have plenty of young talent that they could offer in a trade for a top talent like Cease, giving the White Sox' rebuild a big boost. 

After a 2.20 ERA in 2022, the 27-year-old had some struggles this season, as his ERA ballooned by about 2½ runs to 4.58, and his WHIP exploded from 1.10 to 1.42. He still struck out 11 batters per nine innings. 

Cease is still under team control for two more seasons. And considering the Dodgers' expected huge outlay in free agency this winter (Shohei Ohtani, perhaps, and others), plugging a relatively inexpensive top arm like Cease into the rotation ($8.8M expected salary in arbitration) would be a huge help.

Walker Buehler will be returning in 2024 after a full year off from Tommy John surgery, and Dustin May will miss about half the season after flexor tendon surgery. Julio Urias will not be returning, and the jury is still out on whether Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw will return for a 17th season. 

Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK