After signing Jurickson Profar last week, it is fair to assume that Alex Anthopoulos and the
Atlanta Braves front office are not finished adding to their roster. The Braves had a revolving
door at left field for years, and the Profar signing provides them with stability at the position.
Atlanta will likely address their starting pitching rotation next after losing Max Fried and Charlie
Morton this offseason. Additionally, Spencer Strider, the team’s ace, will not be ready for
Opening Day. After signing Profar, the Braves are reportedly interested in trading for one of his
former teammates: starting pitcher Dylan Cease.
Cease grew up in Metro Atlanta and attended Milton High School, approximately 25 miles north
of Truist Park. As a member of the Chicago White Sox, he produced a career year in 2022,
finishing with 14 wins, a 2.20 ERA (Earned Run Average), a 6.40 WAR (Wins Above
Replacement), and 227 strikeouts. He also finished second in the race for the American League
Cy Young Award and received All-MLB Second Team honors for the first time in his career.
Before the 2024 season, the White Sox traded Cease to the Padres in exchange for three of the
team’s top 10 prospects. He rewarded San Diego’s investment with another strong season,
recording 224 strikeouts, receiving All-MLB Second Team honors again, and finishing fourth in
the National League Cy Young Award race. Cease helped the Padres reach the postseason for
the second time in three years.
The Braves attempted to trade for Cease last offseason before electing not to move forward with
a deal due to the lofty return the White Sox wanted, as Anthopoulos referenced during an
interview with the 680 The Fan radio station.
Other teams reportedly interested in Cease include the New York Mets and Minnesota Twins.
Whichever team trades for him will have to give up a hefty package of players/prospects to
make it happen. Whoever trades for Cease will also more than likely extend him before the
season starts, as he is entering the final year of his current deal.