MLB Trade Rumors: 3 More Teams Linked To Padres' Dylan Cease

Dylan Cease has emerged as one of the biggest names on the trade market, with the San Diego Padres now open to moving the hard-throwing righty to upgrade other areas of the roster. 

According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Padres have held talks with several teams, including the New York Mets, Chicago Cubs, and multiple AL East contenders. Cease, who has a 4.64 ERA this season but boasts elite strikeout stuff, is a pending free agent, making him both valuable and complicated to move.

Jason Reed of FanSided has ranked the three most logical landing spots for Cease based on talent, need, and the ability to extend him beyond 2025. All three are in the American League, and all could push for postseason runs if they add a front-line starter.

Three Teams Most Likely to Land Cease

1. Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers have money to spend and urgent holes in their rotation, with Jon Gray and Tyler Mahle on the IL. Cease could immediately slot in next to Jacob deGrom and Nathan Eovaldi. Reed points out that Texas will clear $35 million off the books this winter, making it plausible for them to extend Cease before free agency. Prospect Kohl Drake, a 25-year-old lefty with a 2.93 ERA in the minors, could headline a return package.

A surprise name has emerged in the starting pitcher market: Dylan Cease, who will be eligible for free agency at year's end. Perception of other teams is that the Padres are intent on making a push for the playoffs, and would use Cease to help fill other roster needs. Mets, AL…

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 23, 2025

2. Houston Astros

Despite a patchwork rotation due to injuries, the Houston Astros remain in the AL playoff hunt. With Framber Valdez approaching free agency, acquiring and extending Cease would lock in a new ace. Reed notes second baseman Brice Matthews or even Lance McCullers Jr. could be flipped in a deal, giving the Padres major-league-ready help while freeing Houston some payroll.

3. Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox remain hard to peg as buyers or sellers, but Reed suggests Cease would boost a young rotation led by Garrett Crochet. Boston also has big-league bats it could part with, perhaps Masataka Yoshida or a younger piece, to help balance the trade.

The Padres are reportedly listening on trades for RHP Dylan Cease, per @JonHeyman.

The Yankees, Mets, Cubs and Red Sox are among teams to check in. pic.twitter.com/HrJnmrka5C

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 23, 2025

Cease hasn’t been dominant in 2025, but his underlying metrics remain strong: 97+ mph heat, a 30% strikeout rate, and a whiff rate north of 17%. While the Padres risk thinning an already fragile rotation, moving Cease now could yield the MLB-ready talent and financial flexibility they need to stay in the playoff picture.

Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images