MLB Rumors: 4 Prime Free Agent Landing Spots For Dylan Cease

October 07, 2025 , , ,
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Dylan Cease walks off the field during 2025 game.

After another high-strikeout, roller-coaster season, Dylan Cease enters free agency as one of the most intriguing arms available. 

Despite a 4.55 ERA and an 8-12 record with the San Diego Padres, his underlying stats (a 3.4 fWAR, strong FIP, and consistent 200+ strikeout production) show a pitcher still performing like a top-tier starter. 

As the Padres tighten their payroll, several clubs are expected to line up for Cease’s services. Let’s look at four of the most logical fits.

Boston Red Sox: Seeking Stability at the Top

The Boston Red Sox have the offense and emerging young arms, but they lack a proven co-ace to pair with Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello. 

After an early postseason exit, Boston’s biggest weakness was rotation depth, and Cease’s durability directly addresses that. He could anchor a playoff-caliber rotation while prospects like Hunter Dobbins and Kutter Crawford fill secondary roles.

Financially, Boston has the flexibility to spend big, especially if they fail to retain Alex Bregman or Trevor Story. A six-year deal around $160 million, similar to Aaron Nola’s, could make Cease the centerpiece of a rotation rebuild that finally gets Boston back into contention.

Chicago Cubs: A Reunion with Familiar Territory

For the Chicago Cubs, Cease would be both a talent upgrade and a symbolic homecoming. Originally drafted by Chicago, the 29-year-old righty could return to Wrigley Field to bolster a rotation missing Justin Steele (UCL recovery) and relying on Shota Imanaga and Cade Horton. Cease’s track record of success against the Cubs, a 1.34 ERA in seven career starts, only sweetens the narrative.

The Cubs have made major pitching splashes before, signing Jon Lester and Yu Darvish to anchor past playoff runs. With the NL Central up for grabs, investing in Cease now could give Chicago one of baseball’s most balanced rotations and a legitimate shot at a deep October push.

Detroit Tigers: Building a Power Duo with Skubal

The Detroit Tigers collapsed late in 2025, losing their strong hold on the AL Central Division, and exposing just how thin their rotation was behind ace Tarik Skubal. 

Cease could change that dynamic instantly. 

A Skubal–Cease tandem would echo Detroit’s glory days of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, while allowing young arms like Casey Mize and Reese Olson to develop without pressure.

Detroit has already increased spending over the past two offseasons, and adding a front-end arm like Cease would signal a full commitment to winning now. His strikeout-heavy style also fits spacious Comerica Park, giving the Tigers the kind of starter who can dominate in cold-weather, low-scoring games early in the year.

Houston Astros: Replacing Framber Valdez’s Reliability

If Framber Valdez departs in free agency, the Houston Astros will need a new workhorse, and Cease fits perfectly. Houston’s rotation depth has been decimated by injuries to Cristian Javier, Lance McCullers Jr., and Luis Garcia, leaving Hunter Brown as the lone steady presence.

Despite carrying significant payroll commitments into 2026, the Astros have consistently operated as a win-now organization. Cease’s durability, five consecutive seasons of 30+ starts, would immediately stabilize their staff and keep Houston’s championship window alive. 

Pairing his swing-and-miss stuff with the team’s elite defense and run support could produce his best statistical season yet.

Photo Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images

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