The New York Mets have spent a lot of money this winter. Most of it went to outfielder Juan Soto, who signed a $765 million deal. While president of baseball operations David Stearns has upgraded multiple areas of his roster, there is still more work to do. Could he explore a potential trade for San Diego Padres ace Dylan Cease?
There's a big hole at first base at Citi Field since the Mets haven't re-signed homegrown slugger Pete Alonso. While New York and the slugger could still find some middle ground on a new deal, the possibility of him landing elsewhere in 2025 is very real.
Acquiring a hurler like Cease isn't going to protect Soto in the lineup, but he would add stability to the top of manager Carlos Mendoza's starting rotation. The right-hander went 14-11 with a 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 224 strikeouts in 189 1/3 innings pitched for the Padres in 2024. He also surpassed the 30-start plateau for the fourth straight season.
Although Cease is rumored to be available via trade, is pursuing him the right move for the Mets? SNY's Danny Abriano thinks so.
"Beyond that, the Mets should be looking to add an established arm or two to their bullpen and should be exploring what it might take to pry someone like Dylan Cease from the Padres," Abriano wrote.
Pairing Cease with a healthy Kodai Senga and a resurgent Sean Manaea would give the Mets a formidable top three. He's making $13.75 million in 2025 but is also scheduled to hit free agency next offseason. Spotrac projects his market value for a long-term deal at five years, and nearly $109 million.
More MLB: Hypothetical Mets Trade Would Swap Luisangel Acuña for 3-Time All-Star Ace
English (US) ·