In the recent USA Today piece written by MLB Insider Bob Nightengale, there are some interesting facts toward the bottom of the article that you could miss if you are just skimming the surface. According to Nightengale, “Atlanta and Baltimore are the current favorites to acquire Cease.” is one of such tidbits.
Dylan Cease’s name has been tossed about Braves land for a month or longer, and the Atlanta Braves have been linked to him several times this off-season. Cease is reportedly asking for a very high price, so Atlanta would have to trade for him. How much would AA be willing to pay for him? Is he worth sacrificing Hurston Waldrep in addition to A.J. Smith-Shawver or Bryce Elder?
Even if you trade for him, the bidding war for his services will begin in 2026, making that the only year you will own him. Until then, he will be an unrestricted free agent. Cease has a 7-9 record and a 4.58 ERA at the end of 2023. Even though neither of those numbers is the greatest in the world, Cease still possesses excellent “stuff”.
With a 2.20 ERA and a 14-8 record in 2022, Cease also walked 79 batters in 177 innings pitched. What we would have to give up in order to have Cease would determine his worth. Still, I can’t sit here and pretend that Cease wasn’t an intriguing addition to a lineup that included Fried, Strider, and Morton.
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